My Department has discussed the preparation of a material flow analysis for the Irish economy with the Environmental Protection Agency in the context of the forthcoming establishment of the Agency’s Circular Economy Programme. I believe this would represent an important statistical and analytic tool for future policy development regarding the circular economy, and my Department will continue to discuss the necessary scoping work for preparing such an analysis with the Agency. I do not propose to bring forward specific legislative targets in relation to material flows at this time, as it would be precipitous to do so in advance of carrying out the material flow analysis. However, I note that the pre-legislative scrutiny process for the Circular Economy Bill 2021 is currently underway, and I look forward to receiving the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action on the Bill.