Government today approved proposals to progress the development of a new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS). The Scheme will support people with mobility needs to access adapted vehicles and maintain independent mobility.
The Scheme will be developed as part of the Government's commitment to improving transport accessibility and ensuring that all those who need support can participate fully in society, employment, education and community life.
The VAS is designed to support those needing more minor adaptations to their vehicles. It is not a support towards the capital cost of purchasing a vehicle.
Welcoming the Government decision, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said:
“I am delighted that the Government has approved plans to advance the development of the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme. Access to personal transport can be transformative for people with additional mobility needs, enabling greater independence, social inclusion and participation in everyday life.
“Today's decision marks an important step towards establishing a modern, fair and sustainable scheme that will support those who require vehicle adaptations to help meet their mobility needs.”
Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports Seán Canney said:
“Since details of the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme were first announced, the proposal has been broadly welcomed by stakeholders and representative groups. There is clear recognition of the positive impact that targeted support for vehicle adaptations can have for people.
“Approval of these proposals today represents a significant milestone in the development of the Scheme and will enable the Department of Transport to progress the detailed implementation work required for its delivery.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said:
“While significant progress continues to be made in expanding and improving rural public transport services, we recognise that personal transport remains indispensable for many people. The Vehicle Adaptation Scheme has the potential to remove barriers to mobility and improve quality of life for individuals and families across the country.”

Progressing this revision is a priority of the Irish EU Presidency

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has today (Friday, 17 July) welcomed the publication of the European Commission’s plans for the review of the EU Emissions Trading System Directive (EU ETS1). Urgently completing the ETS review is a priority for European leaders, the European Parliament and the European Commission in the One Europe, One Market Roadmap. This has been identified as a priority of the Irish EU Presidency and is key to ensuring the EU’s competitiveness.
The Minister welcomed the proposal to amend the cap-and-trade system that has seen emissions in scope reduce by 50% since its inception in 2005.
The Minister said:
“The EU is a global leader in this space, with the EU ETS [Emissions Trading System] being replicated in jurisdictions around the world. It has proved agile through multiple reforms, adapting to increasing ambition and changing global contexts, and this is simply the latest iteration.”
Proposed revisions to the EU ETS1 focus on market stabilisation, and include amending the trajectory for industry towards decarbonisation, and broadening the scope to include certain aviation and maritime emissions. The plans also include the addition of carbon removals, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors, and the use of international carbon credits.
Following discussions at official level, Minister O’Brien will chair discussions on the review at the Environment (ENVI) Council, with the aim of reaching a General Approach at the December Environment Council in Brussels.
The Minister confirmed:
“Reviewing our decarbonisation and competitiveness framework will be vital to achieve our climate targets and to secure the prosperity of our industries. Changes will be difficult but necessary. We will be honest brokers and ensure all Member States have their voices heard on a system that has proven vital for the decarbonisation and competitiveness of EU industry.”
Official discussions will commence on Monday, 20 July, in Brussels.
The related European Commission press release (17 July 2026) can be seen at: Commission boosts Europe's competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced his intention to appoint four new members to the board of daa plc. Fred Barry, Laura Burke, Lisa Dillon and Niamh O’Regan will be appointed with effect from Monday 20 July. Minister O’Brien has also reappointed Ger Perdisatt to the Board. 

Minister O’Brien said: 
“I am pleased to appoint Fred Barry, Laura Burke, Lisa Dillon and Niamh O’Regan as board members of daa, and to re-appoint Ger Perdisatt. 
“These directors will bring an impressive and diverse collective experience to the Board, with expertise and skills across many sectors including governance, regulation, finance, and infrastructure development. I wish each member the very best in their roles.”

Mr. Gary Owens, the Chair of daa, also welcomed the new appointees to the Board:
“I am delighted to welcome four new directors to the Board of daa, and I congratulate Fred, Laura, Lisa and Niamh on their appointments. In addition to the existing board members, I believe that their wide experience and skills will be hugely beneficial to daa in delivering on our mandate in the coming years.”

The appointments follow an open call for expressions of interest on the State Boards website, and an assessment process operated by publicjobs.

Minister delivers Ireland's National Statement at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has set out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations ‘High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development’ in New York today (Monday).
Minister O'Brien explained:
“This year’s High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development comes at a critical time, as we continue our collective journey towards 2030 and as we seek to urgently accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals – especially for the furthest behind.
“Especially now, we can see the importance of strengthening inclusive partnerships and focusing on impacts – across governments, the UN system, civil society, the private sector and under-represented groups, as well as women, youth and academia.”
At the HLPF this year Ireland – along with The Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the International Renewable Agency (IRENA), and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) – is leading and co-hosting an official Side Event. The Side Event is titled ‘Accelerating SDG 7: Building Bridges for the Clean Energy Transition: How Governments, Institutions and Civil Society can Partner to Decarbonise Island Nations, from Europe to the Pacific’.
During his time at the HLPF, Minister O'Brien is also attending a number of special events. These include a High-Level Plenary on Critical Energy Transitions and a Special Event on Financing Resilient Agrifood Systems in the context of the current crisis.
Minister O'Brien will also attend several bilateral meetings, with representatives from Albania, Canada, Japan, the Marshall Islands, Saudia Arabia and Tuvalu. He will also meet representatives of academia and civil society, as well as youth representatives. Minister O’Brien will also meet with UN Assistant Secretary General Selwin Hart, as preparations are underway in advance of COP31 which takes place in Antalya, Turkey in November 2026.
National Statement
The National Statement – delivered by Minister O'Brien – can be viewed on the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment website at this link: National Statement by Minister Darragh O’Brien at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2026. 

• Economic growth has been decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions, following fourth consecutive year of emissions reductions
• Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 36 years

The Environmental Protection Agency’s provisional greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2025 shows that Ireland continues its progress towards its ambitious emissions reduction targets. The first Carbon Budget has been achieved on the back of the fourth consecutive year in which emissions have fallen.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 36 years, which is notable given a concurrent increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.
Economic growth has been definitively decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions, as Ireland’s economy continued to grow strongly in 2025 while emissions were reduced. Emissions have also continued to fall in the context of Ireland’s fast-growing population, with emissions per household at record lows in 2025.
Emissions fell last year in all the main sectors of the economy, including a 7.1% reduction in energy industries – to an all-time low – as our investment in renewable electricity continues to pay off. Electricity generation from renewables has increased fivefold since 2005. Regularly throughout the first half of 2026 almost half of Ireland’s electricity demand came from renewable sources. Ireland now generates a record amount of electricity while emissions from the sector continue to fall. The transport sector has also seen a further reduction in emissions in 2025, as higher use of biofuels and accelerating uptake of electric vehicles are making an impact.
Commenting on the report, Minister O’Brien said:
“I welcome the publication of the EPA’s greenhouse gas inventory report for 2025. As we continue our efforts to transform Ireland’s economy to a climate-neutral one, it is very encouraging to see that emissions have continued to fall for the fourth year in a row.
“I am pleased to see that the provisional inventory shows that we have successfully achieved the first Carbon Budget – a very significant achievement as our economy and population continue to grow.
“Now is the time to continue our efforts right across Government, and preparations are currently underway for the next update to the Climate Action Plan which will have a strong focus on delivering the highest-impact measures to reduce our emissions while improving the quality of life of people in Ireland.”

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Ports Seán Canney today announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft revision of the National Ports Policy, following Government approval.
The public consultation launches today, 3 July, and will remain open for eight weeks.
The revised National Ports Policy is a key element of Ireland’s transport strategy, aiming to ensure international connectivity in a sustainable manner. It implements the Programme for Government commitments to support investment in our commercial and passenger port infrastructure, supporting offshore renewable energy development and ensuring ports have the future capacity to meet the needs of our economy.
Minister O’Brien said: “The revision of the National Ports Policy sets out the updated policy framework for the State-owned commercial port sector. Ports are crucial to our economic well-being and a key enabler of our renewable energy future. I encourage members of the public, industry stakeholders and businesses to engage with this consultation.”
“The revision builds on the success of its predecessor, the National Ports Policy 2013. That policy provided the platform for our State-owned commercial port network to align with both the national planning framework and national development goals, and the EU’s Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Network. The revision also sets out a new roadmap to ensure that our ports continue to develop the infrastructure required to support Ireland’s trade and sustainability goals into the future.”
Minister Canney said: “I welcome the milestone of this draft revision of the National Ports Policy.  I have a deep appreciation of the balance provided by the large commercial Ports of National Significance, and the smaller community-based Ports of Regional Significance. Our ports are critical national assets, supporting trade, connectivity, regional development and Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable economy."
“I look forward to the same high level of stakeholder engagement in this second public consultation as was achieved during the first, which was based on a thematic Issues Paper. Over 70 responses to that consultation were received and carefully assessed by officials in my Department.”