Cross-party support has been secured to decarbonise Ireland's electricity generation in a new Climate Action Committee report.

The Committee Report saw representatives from political parties nationwide agree on supports, which also included incentives for diversified and low carbon farming.

These suggestions are aimed to demonstrate how Ireland make a rapid transition to a low carbon society.

The Labour Party's member on the Committee, Seán Sherlock TD said: "Ireland is facing a 60 million tonne question. Currently we emit 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year and we have to get that down to 33 million tonnes by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. Every year that we fall behind adds to our target, as CO2 stays in the atmosphere for decades and worsens the effects of climate change.

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"We now have a strong and ambitious template for tackling climate change in Ireland. Our recommendations address the urgent need for far stronger governance on climate change, they ensure that every government department has to play its part in reducing emissions from their respective sectors, and it offers new supports for decarbonising Ireland's electricity generation alongside incentives for diversified and low carbon farming."

Further recommendations include the introduction of a national Just Transition Task Force, which will deliver real supports for workers whose livelihoods may be affected by the reduction of fossil fuel use in the economy.

Mr Sherlock added: "The targets in this report are based on scientific fact. Failing to achieve our climate targets is not an option. Such a failure would not only damn future generations, it would significantly deteriorate the quality of life of the generations alive today."

Environment Minister Richard Bruton welcomed the report and the committee for reaching cross-party consensus on a number of difficult issues.

Minister Bruton will now consider the recommendations in the context of the work that is underway on the all of government Climate Plan.

(CM/MH)