John Gormley
Question:56 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the National Development Plan 2000-2006 will contribute to sustainable development. [24486/99]
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
The objective of the strategy and investment proposals set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is to secure sustainable economic and social development. The plan is designed to strike the correct balance between protecting and preserving the environment, promoting economic and employment growth, improving competitiveness and addressing social exclusion. Many of the investments provided for are specifically designed to have a positive impact on the environment such, as for example, £3.6 billion investment in improving water and waste management services, over £2.5 billion investment in public transport and substantial other investment in areas such as the rural environment protection scheme and in forestry.
Chapter 13 of the plan contains an analysis of the environmental situation in Ireland. In line with the Government's policy to introduce eco-auditing the plan was subjected to a pilot eco-audit, details of which are set out at appendix 4 of the plan. The chapters in the plan dealing with the various operational programmes contain a summary of how they will impact on the environment as well as on equal opportunity, poverty and rural development. The plan provides that at operational level, the environment and these other horizontal concerns will, where feasible, be included in the development of all project selection criteria, performance indicators, monitoring and evaluation arrangements. An environmental co-ordinating committee to monitor and oversee the implementation of the plan from an environmental perspective is also provided for.