John Gormley
Question:193 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will abide by the recommendations of Comhar contained in its reports. [7578/99]
Written Answers. - Comhar Report.
John Gormley
Question:194 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has for Comhar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7577/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
Comhar – the National Sustainable Development Partnership, which was established in February 1999, is an independent body acting under terms of reference agreed by Government. As I indicated in the reply to Question No. 14 of 3 March 1999, I expect that Comhar will make a significant contribution towards the national pursuit of sustainable development. It will be influential in contributing to policy development and implementation, and also in promoting awareness of, and national consensus on, sustainable development in Ireland. Under its terms of reference, Comhar is required to determine its own work programme within three months of establishment. In this regard, I have drawn the attention of Comhar to a number of specific issues and invited it to: make recommendations on how to influence behaviour across the economy and society to support action under the forthcoming National Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy; arrange appropriate public participation in Ireland in the consultative process which is taking place at EU level in the context of the global assessment of the EU's Fifth Environment Action Programme; and make recommendations on good practice models and instruments to inform and influence more environmentally sustainable behaviour.
Comhar may make recommendations to any Minister of the Government, and may also address itself to various sectors of society, including the general public. I will carefully consider any recommendations made by Comhar which relate to my area of responsibility. I expect that all of Comhar's recommendations, which will be published, will be influential in contributing to the understanding and further development and implementation of sustainable development policies. A copy of an introductory booklet on Comhar has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.