I too acknowledge the workers in the Gallery.

This morning EU climate ministers agreed to reduce carbon emissions by between 85% and 90% by 2040, following marathon negotiations in advance of the COP30 summit. Ministers adopted a legally binding target for cutting emissions by 85% by 2040. On paper and in principle, it is positive to see this agreement reached, but the deal also mandates that another 5% reduction be achieved by outsourcing pollution cuts abroad through the purchase of international carbon credits. That get-out clause suggests that EU states will continue to believe that we can buy our way out of climate change and outsource our obligations to countries that have less. This is not so positive, especially as we are still miles off our target of a 51% reduction by 2030. In that context, will the Minister commit Ireland to being a climate leader within the EU? As the Minister for infrastructure, what are his plans to ensure that key public services will make life better for people-----

The Minister to respond.

-----and that we can have investment in infrastructure-----

We are not going over time.

-----to address climate?

To answer the Deputy's question, I welcome the outcomes from the European Commission proposals. Europe continues to be a leader on climate action in a world that is, unfortunately, backsliding in many instances. The new targets will be challenging for many member states, including Ireland, but we are taking action in the context of the national development plan that we reviewed. Consider the focus on energy and transport in particular, with more than €20 billion in transport investment over the next five years. That is a real opportunity for transformational investment and delivery of transport infrastructure and public transport across our economy. Ensuring that we accelerate the planning and design process for many of the projects that cannot be started-----

I thank the Minister.

-----is critical to ensuring we meet our climate goals from a transport perspective.