Vol. 508 No. 3
74 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the EPA document, Environment in Focus, which shows that the environment is in serious decline and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/99]
106 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he will take arising from the recently published annual report of the Environmental Protection Agency which said that environmental problems were intensifying with economic growth and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18711/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 106 together.
Environment in Focus was published by the Environmental Protection Agency as a discussion document in the context of the agency's work on the development of key national environmental indicators. It does not constitute the annual report of the agency, which I am awaiting in respect of 1998.
Environment in Focus is a welcome contribution to public understanding of the relationship between economic activity and environmental quality. Indicators like those included in this publication play an important part in informing the review of public policies and in the modification of behaviour in society so that the growth we need to maintain is not at the expense of our environmental and natural resource base.
I have developed and will continue to put in place a wide range of policy, legislative and other measures to address environmental pressures and ensure that development is sustainable. These include strengthened protection of water and air quality, a new waste management policy framework and substantially increased investment in environmental infrastructure. A comprehensive new Planning and Development Bill has been published, a climate change abatement strategy is now in preparation and we are embarking on a new national spatial strategy.
I expect that the measurement of appropriate indicators by the EPA will enable us to assess the relevance and success of our policies and continue to target our responses to environmental problems as effectively as possible. However, sustainable development cannot be achieved without the active support and participation of the public. In this regard, I will shortly be initiating a major campaign to promote greater awareness on critical aspects of behaviour including waste prevention, personal transport choices, water conservation and litter control.
