Latest news with #NationalEconomicandSocialCouncil
RTÉ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Cabinet to be told of reduction in Ireland's suicide rate
The Cabinet will be updated on Ireland's suicide rate later today, with data suggesting it has reduced to a level where Ireland now has 11th lowest level in the EU. Preliminary figures for 2023 record 302 deaths, the lowest preliminary figure for over 20 years. Between 2000 and 2021, Ireland has seen a 28% reduction in the suicide rate, falling from 12.9 per 100,000 in 2000 to 9.2 per 100,000 in 2021 - the last year for which there are official figures. Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler and Health Minister Jennifer Caroll MacNeill are expected to tell their Cabinet colleagues today that while the overall decline is to be welcomed, it has to be acknowledged that every life lost to suicide is one too many. Minister Butler will update her colleagues on the development of a new national suicide reduction policy, which received 1,895 submissions - the majority coming from members of the public. She will say her intention is to finalise a new strategy to further reduce self-harm and suicide by the end of the year. Population growth Taoiseach Micheál Martin will bring the latest strategic policy guidance from the National Economic and Social Council to Cabinet today. It is focused on how to achieve the National Planning Framework goal that half of all population growth is within the five cities and their suburbs from now to 2040. Of this, 50% of that growth should be in Dublin and the other half in the other four cities. Between 2016 to 2022, the share of population growth represented by the five cities was just 32%. The NESC Report recommends increases in public investment to unlock land suited for compact growth and a review of development incentives with a view to providing stronger incentives for brownfield development. NESC suggests the Government continues to seek reductions in the construction costs of apartments as well as houses; increased investment in cost rental homes; and develop a brownfield activation strategy. It also wants more flexible rent controls to support increased supply and more emphasis on densification of existing areas, including more use of corner sites, gardens, and mews development. European Quantum Pact Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless will inform Cabinet of his intention to sign the European Quantum Pact. This is a joint declaration by EU science ministers which recognises the transformative potential of quantum technologies for Europe's scientific, industrial, and strategic future. This Minister is expected to say that quantum technologies are set to drive breakthroughs across multiple sectors, including digital security, healthcare, climate modelling, and advanced manufacturing. They are also central to Ireland's ambition in "deep tech" innovation across key strategic areas such as semiconductors, life sciences, sustainable energy, financial services, and cybersecurity. By becoming a signatory of the EU Quantum Pact, Ireland will strengthen its ability to collaborate internationally, gaining access to shared infrastructures, research capacity, and knowledge transfer networks that amplify our national efforts. Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien will seek Cabinet approval today for the key design features of the fifth onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction, known as RESS 5. The Terms and Conditions of RESS 5 will follow a broadly similar approach to that of RESS 4 which was completed in 2024 with the auction results submitted to Government in September 2024. The fourth RESS auction was held in August 2024 with the results approved by Government in September 2024. The overall volume in RESS 4 was 2070.97GWh of shovel ready renewable electricity projects which equates to 959.84MW of solar and 373.8MW of onshore wind. The Climate Action Plan 2024 - published in December 2023 - set out revised sectoral emission targets consistent with the carbon budgets for the period 2021-2025 and 2026-2030. The CAP set a target of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030. It is known that increased delivery of grid scale renewable electricity generation will be required to achieve an 80% renewable share of electricity demand.
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cabinet to discuss criminalising sex for rent and counselling notes in trials
Offering accommodation in exchange for sex will become a criminal offence under plans to be discussed by Cabinet this Tuesday afternoon. It follows a commitment in the Programme for Government to criminalise those who seek sex for rent. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will inform Cabinet of plans to address what has been branded as "highly exploitative behaviour by the introduction of two specific criminal offences". This includes offering accommodation in exchange for sex and the advertising of accommodation in exchange for sex. The provisions encompass both tenancies and licence arrangements. The proposed penalty is a class A fine. This carries a maximum penalty of €5,000. It is hoped that this will provide "increased protections for vulnerable individuals," as well as a potential deterrent to landlords or property owners currently engaging in such behaviour. The General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 will also address the use of counselling records in sexual offence trials. Victims have campaigned for this to be banned. However, the proposed changes from Mr O'Callaghan do not go this far. Cabinet will hear that laws that allow counselling notes to be used were "designed to strike a balance between two competing rights", including the victim's right to personal privacy and the accused person's right to a fair trial. Mr O'Callaghan will argue that it has become evident that the section is not operating as intended and that victims feel pressure to waive their right to a disclosure hearing. Under the new plans, a judicial examination of the counselling records and a subsequent disclosure hearing will automatically take place wherever the accused seeks such records. The change also seeks to "limit" the occasions when counselling notes can be used, stating they can only be disclosed when there is "a real risk of an unfair trial". Taoiseach Micheál Martin, meanwhile, will bring the latest report from the National Economic and Social Council, the body tasked with providing him with strategic policy advice. The report is 'Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland'. The report recommended reviewing development incentives "with a view to providing stronger incentives for brownfield development" and "increasing public investment to unlock land suited for compact growth". It also calls for more flexible rent controls to support increased supply, as well as urging the Government to continue to seek reductions in the construction costs of apartments as well as houses and increasing investment in cost-rental homes. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Mary Butler, the Minister for Mental Health, meanwhile, will inform Cabinet that the suicide rate has reduced by a quarter and is now the 11th lowest in the EU, according to the most recent official figures. Preliminary figures for 2023 record 302 deaths, the lowest preliminary figure for over 20 years. Between 2000 and 2021, Ireland saw a 28 per cent reduction in the suicide rate, falling from 12.9 per 100,000 in 2000 to 9.2 per 100,000 in 2021. Cabinet will also be advised that previous self-harm remains the biggest risk factor for suicide, and that National Suicide Research Foundation Self-Harm Registry data highlights that between 2010 and 2023, self-harm rates decreased by 12 per cent. A strategy to further reduce self-harm and suicide will be completed by the end of the year. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers will bring the Annual Programme Report (APR) to Cabinet, which has replaced the annual Stability Programme Update. Tánaiste Simon Harris will update ministers on the latest developments on trade, including ongoing negotiations between the EU and US, as well as the "accelerated" ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA. The approach proposed would enable ratification not just of CETA but also of other EU-third country Investment Protection Agreements with similar models of investor-State arbitration schemes, such as Singapore and Chile. Higher Education Minister James Lawless will inform Cabinet of his intention to sign the European Quantum Pact, a joint declaration by EU science ministers recognising the transformative potential of quantum technologies for Europe's scientific, industrial, and strategic future.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Changes to Rent Pressure Zones needed to cope with growing population, Cabinet to be told
The report by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) – the body that advises the Taoiseach on policy and strategy – outlines proposals to ensure future population growth is spread across Ireland's five largest cities. Among its recommendations are that 'more flexible rent controls' are needed to increase housing supply. This report is separate to an 'options paper' on RPZs which has been presented to Housing Minister James Browne. That review outlines a number of options including allowing landlords to increase rents by more than the 2pc cap that is currently in place. The NESC report on 'Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland' will further feed into the Government's thinking on what to do when RPZs expire at the end of this year. RPZs were introduced in 2016 to try to calm soaring rents and have been extended ever since. They will need to stay in place for at least another two years while an alternative system of rent controls is formulated, Housing Commission chairman John O'Connor has said. The NESC report details how to ensure that at least half of the population growth between now and 2040 takes place within five cities and their suburbs. The Land Development Agency will have an important role in making this happen over the next 15 years. At least 50pc of that growth should be in Dublin and the other half in four other cities: Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, the report said. Between 2016 to 2022, the share of population growth represented by the five cities was just 32pc. The National Planning Framework target of having 40pc of new housing developments within existing, built-up areas is now being achieved, but the NESC said even more could be done. The report, to be presented to the Cabinet by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, outlines the benefits of 'compact growth', including 'higher productivity and innovation, more sustainable travel, improved access to services and lower energy consumption'. The report welcomes commitments in the Programme for Government relevant to compact growth, including the creation of a new strategic fund to invest in infrastructure, the enactment of a new Compulsory Purchase Order Bill and ensuring every local authority has an expanded vacant property team in place. Other recommendations include: going further than the current target of having 40pc for new housing developments within existing built-up areas; increasing investment in cost-rental homes; developing a brownfield activation strategy; and encouraging 'densification of existing areas' including more use of corner sites, gardens and mews development. It also recommends an increase in public investment to unlock land suited for desirable compact growth. The NESC recommends the Government should, where possible, continue to seek reductions in the construction costs of apartments as well as houses and a 'more three-dimensional approach for planning in areas subject to the prospects of significant regeneration and change', to help people understand what is involved in new development and thereby facilitate deeper engagement. Meanwhile, the Cabinet will also discuss its latest economic and fiscal projections. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will get approval for the first Annual Progress Report, which will be presented to the European Commission. The report outlines how Ireland will comply with EU budget and debt rules, and replaces what used to be the Stability Programme Update. The EU is allowing opt-outs from the fiscal rules to allow states to spend more on defence. But Ireland is not expected to be among the countries that will seek such an exemption. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan is also expected to seek approval to extend the laws allowing outdoor seating for licensed premises for another six months until the end of November 2025. The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 was introduced as a temporary, Covid-related provision to facilitate safer outdoor socialising. The relevant provisions of the act can be extended for up to six months at a time by resolution of each House of the Oireachtas. The extension is requested to give clarity to licensed premises, local authorities and gardaí.
Irish Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on Ireland's wind energy: opportunity must not slip past
The issue of energy security has moved up the EU agenda since the Russian invasion of Ukraine cut off one of the bloc's main sources of oil and gas supplies. It was further underlined by the recent blackouts across Spain and Portugal , although the exact reasons for this unprecedented grid failure have yet to be established. Ireland, like most other countries, faces challenges in decarbonisation and energy security, yet also opportunities. The State has abundant access to coastal waters ideal for offshore wind – and as well as meeting domestic need has the possibility of becoming an energy exporter, even if a recent report from the National Economic and Social Council raised serious questions about this. The policy objective is to generate 37 gigawatts of electricity through offshore wind by 2050. To put this in context, it would be six times the current level of peak demand, which means that not only would Ireland become self-sufficient, it could also become an important source of green energy to the rest of the EU. Furthermore, if Ireland were to reach this target, it would be in compliance with its EU-mandated obligations to reduce its CO2 emissions. Failure to meet these targets will result in significant fine which could have major implications for the public finances. READ MORE But the consensus is that whatever about generating 37GW of offshore wind by 2050, Ireland is highly unlikely to reach the much more modest target of 5GW of offshore renewable energy by 2030. Progress is slow and, as the NESC has pointed out, there is no clarity on how it might be speeded up. This should not be the case. Ireland's only existing offshore wind energy project, the Arklow Bank Wind Park, will be dismantled over the coming months. It was developed by Airtricity 21 years ago. One of the reasons often cited at an official level for Ireland's overwhelming reliance on foreign direct investment is that the country lacked indigenous resources. This is not true of wind energy and when Airtricity, founded in Ireland, became a world leader in the development of the sector, it looked as if Ireland was on the cusp of a major breakthrough. However, there has been lamentable progress since Airtricity was sold in 2008 and that largely reflects policy failures at government level, despite lofty rhetoric. There is a great opportunity for Ireland. But for that to happen, a lot of issues, such as planning, infrastructure bottlenecks and investment must be addressed. The Government faces many challenges, not least a housing crisis. But it must also treat the issue of decarbonisation and energy security as a central goal. And come up with a plan to show that this is achievable and can deliver both for businesses and consumers.
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Impossible' to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050 and transition to clean energy could push up electricity prices
It could be described as a ferocious, quick-fire double punch. The target? The critical players leading Ireland's clean energy transition over coming decades and pursuit of the Holy Grail, a net-zero economy by 2050. The rude awakening, in effect, poured scorn on big talk that it's simply a matter of time before Ireland becomes 'the Saudi Arabia of wind '; exporting vast quantities of electrons to power mainland Europe. First came an unusually outspoken report from the National Economic and Social Council (Nesc) released on Good Friday afternoon, saying Ireland's policy on the transition to green energy lacks clarity, with stakeholders not on the same page from a strategic standpoint. We may have 'a unique energy advantage in Europe', yet questions about how the transition will be made remain unanswered and, perhaps most damning, 'much of Ireland's policy action for transition in the power sector is headed into fog'. READ MORE Second came the verdict this week of the Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE), an all-island think tank, declaring energy policy needs to 'go beyond wishful thinking and to be replaced by the realities of engineering, finance and project delivery'. Its cold assessment of available technologies suggests it is impossible to achieve the legal requirement and policy objective of climate neutrality by mid-century. And there is an absence of a plan, as it sees it, to deliver 352 essential, large energy infrastructure projects. Key questions about renewable energy capacity requirements, the rationale for surplus power generation, its optimal use, price competitiveness and the method of energy export remain unanswered — National Economic and Social Council These range across onshore and fixed-bottom wind offshore, solar, interconnectors, transmission lines, battery storage and backup generation. It includes 'many hundreds of kilometres of overhead transmission lines'. The absence of hydrogen and floating offshore technology is notable – though it does not dismiss them as non-runners. Those most responsible for the transition and associated infrastructure development are the Government (including key departments delivering policy and dictating market conditions), ESB , EirGrid and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities . As there is a national mandate to accelerate the scale-up of renewables, other State agencies are in the mix, ranging across planning (especially marine), enterprise and local development. While the finger of blame was not directed at any single actor, collective responsibility could not be clearer, as 'visibility and certainty are low' across the board – as Nesc put it. Easter break aside, none has disputed the withering assessments. Nesc detailed failings and gaps that risk a lack of action on transition to clean energy that will add costs for Ireland – that also runs contrary to the narrative foreseeing lots of cheap renewables. 'There is a lack of evidence-based certainty about future energy prices in Ireland and, if anything, consumers might expect higher rather than lower energy costs as the transition progresses. This is despite the cost of renewable power production being competitive with that of fossil fuels over the long term.' Compounding matters are issues about future reliability of the country's energy supply. This may undermine national competitiveness and the transition narrative 'with an absence of actions to reinforce both the energy transition and economic resilience'. Nesc identifies four primary risks. On electricity supply, it warns reliability may worsen over periods of the transition if not addressed. There is 'no clear visibility of the power system's reliability beyond 2032'. Clarity is needed on total system cost of transition in the power sector and the distribution of those costs, while 'key questions about renewable energy capacity requirements, the rationale for surplus power generation, its optimal use, price competitiveness and the method of energy export remain unanswered'. On enterprise opportunities, it says 'there is no single, comprehensive estimate available to policymakers of the sales, exports and jobs, etc that can be expected from delivering transition targets'. The IAE pulls no punches on energy reliability and security. It questions the feasibility of decarbonising the electricity sector and wider energy sector by 2050, given 'an unavoidable dependence on natural gas' that will still apply then and maybe beyond. Much of its concerns relate to ensuring power supply when demand will increase from 34 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2024 to 80TWh by 2050. It also highlights vulnerability to possible disruptions to the supply side of natural gas due to heavy reliance on it as the energy source of last resort for electricity generation. The Government's move to create an offshore LNG reserve to address security of supply risk is inadequate both in terms of storage capacity and infrastructure. 'A small, leased floating storage regasification unit operated to not impact on the operation of the market is unlikely to be sufficient,' says IAE energy and climate action committee chairman Eamonn O'Reilly, the former head of Dublin Port. Ireland is an island with no indigenous energy sources that can provide the energy security the country needs, he adds. 'Renewables can supply a lot of energy but need backup to ensure reliability of supply. Because renewables cannot get over the first hurdle of reliability, they cannot provide energy security. In 2024, Ireland's near 5,000 megawatts (MW) of wind provided less than 500MW of power for 2,127 hours' – equivalent to 88 days over a year. 'No amount of oversupply of renewables can guarantee power when the wind and sun are not sufficiently available, not even Government's enormous 2050 target of 54,000MW. There will always be a requirement for alternative backup power sources to ensure reliability.' Similar concerns apply to interconnectors, the IAE says. In 2024, 15 per cent of the country's electricity requirement was met by imports. 'The need for energy security suggests Ireland should have a low, or very low, ultimate dependence on interconnectors because we have no control on the supply that might be available when we need it most.' O'Reilly accepts there are many complexities in the transition feeding into their position, which is not advocating rowback – 'it is not climate denial; we are not saying don't do renewables'. [ Why international firm Corio withdrew from plans for Sceirde Rocks wind farm off Connemara's coast Opens in new window ] The IAE backs 'an inevitable compromise on net zero by 2050 ... but you can never predict the future. You can only plan on the basis of the technology you have today. So you can't get to net zero by 2050. No way.' Despite this, it still backs moves to maximise renewables while 'other technologies that could become available over the next 25 years include floating offshore wind, hydrogen and small modular nuclear reactors'. Those advocating hydrogen and floating, including the ESB, should get their act together and even proceed to planning 'and see where it goes', he says. 'But you can't rely on hydrogen and floating to get us to net zero by 2050. If we over-rely on that you might find you can't power the country.' Government has set a target to achieve a climate-neutral electricity system by 2050 – and accepted the imposition of enormous financial penalties by the EU if this objective is not achieved – 'without first understanding and demonstrating how it is feasible', he says. Echoing Nesc concerns, O'Reilly notes 'this has been done without estimating how much the endeavour will cost and what impact it will have on the already high price consumers pay for electricity in Ireland'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Nesc findings would inform the future approach to the energy transition. Previously, the Coalition decided to establish a new infrastructure unit within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in tandem with reforms to tackle regulatory barriers impeding growth and development. There are many in the renewables sector who believe his response is acknowledgment that the Government needs to be more rigorous and strategically coherent. [ Irish electricity prices, already Europe's highest, may rise further due to 'required investment' Opens in new window ] 'The scale of resources needed to deliver a secure and stable green energy system means that we must accelerate investment, both public and private,' Martin said. He announced a new 'climate investment clearing house' to accelerate progress and to work with all stakeholders 'to ensure we have the conditions in place to achieve this energy transformation in an effective, timely and sustainable manner, while ensuring the ongoing competitiveness of the Irish economy'. He is to host a joint Government-industry forum on offshore renewables in coming weeks, 'to scope out the role of the clearing house and how we can best progress delivery of Ireland's offshore renewable energy objectives'. The cross-department Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce in place since 2022 includes key State agencies, but industry sources say they could be more involved, particularly in bringing solutions to the table. Nobody questions the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications ' determination to deliver, along with that of the ESB and EirGrid, but they contend a robust mechanism to ensure accountability in other agencies is largely absent. [ Take fewer flights or switch to an EV – what's the best way to reduce my carbon emissions? Opens in new window ] Ireland aims to transform its power system over the next 25 years by reducing fossil fuel use and ramping up renewables, accepting this is key to addressing climate change . They may be brutally frank in tone, but neither report is saying 'we shouldn't be doing this'. Nesc recommends a phased approach to drive progress. Immediate actions include 'improving conditions for clean energy infrastructure (planning, skills, financing, grid and supply chains) and establishing new institutional arrangements for better co-ordination'. [ Ardnacrusha at 100: What could happen if Ireland showed similar ambition today and invested 20% of national budget in energy? Opens in new window ] Next should be moves 'to address key knowledge gaps, to demonstrate sustainable renewable power demand, and to ensure economic benefits are realised domestically'. In the longer term is a need 'to produce competitively priced energy for export, to develop export methods and to manage associated challenges, if proven practical and viable'. Ireland's decarbonisation potential includes ability to meet all, or almost all, of our power demand from renewable energy sources – to reach 'domestic net-zero emissions', Nesc concludes. There is also the prospect of producing surplus clean energy, it says, to power enterprise and spur new opportunities – and to export surplus clean energy – if proven practical and viable. Nesc analyst Dr Cathal FitzGerald, however, said its research reveals uncertainty about the impact on our economic resilience in terms of energy reliability, price, jobs and exports. 'These in turn highlight broader issues to be resolved and a strong imperative for action.' The energy transition must be progressed despite all the complexities involved, he underlined, while being mindful 'the cost of inaction would be enormous and devastating'.
