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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Sep 1995

Vol. 456 No. 1

Written Answers. - Environmental Protection Policy.

Máirín Quill

Question:

80 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he proposes to take to implement the Government's declared intention to integrate environmental protection considerations into all policy areas and all levels of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/95]

In line with Government commitments, I am currently preparing a national sustainable development strategy, which will address all areas of Government policy which impact on the environment. The strategy will have the purpose of integrating national environmental and socio-economic objectives more fully to improve the quality of life, while conserving the natural resources upon which development ultimately depends.

As part of the process of developing this strategy, I published last June Moving Towards Sustainability, a review of recent environmental policy and developments. This document identifies the extent to which environmental integration, which has been a policy of successive Governments, is already being pursued by economic sectors and relevant Government Departments. It also illustrates the need for further policy development, which I am undertaking in the preparation of the national strategy.

The objective of integrating environmental considerations into all relevant policy areas also continues to be progressed through the formation of environmental units in Government Departments as well as in State agencies. In 1994, my Department established a green network of Government Departments as a focus and support for these units, and a forum for stimulating new initiatives.
I am, in addition, giving priority to environmental integration at local government level. I have publishedLocal Authorities and Sustainable Development — Guidelines on Local Agenda 21 to encourage local authorities to bring forward their own initiatives to integrate environmental considerations into their policies, plans and programmes in the interests of sustainable development regionally and locally.
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