Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
152. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the development of a national environmental policy position; the timeline for completion and publication of the policy position; whether it will incorporate environmental justice principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10004/23]
View answerThere is a strong commitment by Government to the environment as set out in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future. My Department together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are leading in relation to key areas including, climate, the broader environment and environmental protection, circular economy, biodiversity, water, air, soils, and land-use. My Department is engaged on an ongoing basis with a number of other Government Departments and Agencies in developing policy and furthering implementation in these areas. My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are also actively engaged in supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal in Ireland, including the transposition of European legislation, and in supporting Ireland’s wider global environmental commitments and responsibilities.
While structures are in place across Government to facilitate coherent and co-ordinated policy development and implementation including structures to enable a whole-of-Government response in key areas, my Department has commenced work on an overarching statement on environment policy to be published by Government in 2023. An inter-departmental and agency group will be established shortly to guide this work.
It is envisaged that the development of a statement on environment policy will facilitate more comprehensive integrated policy development and effective implementation by strengthening governance structures. It will also enable synergies between different policy areas to be maximised by ensuring that policy development and implementation across different areas (e.g., climate and biodiversity) are aligned. In addition, it will facilitate better monitoring and reporting in relation to the commitments and targets arising from international, EU and national agreements, policies, primary legislation, directives and regulations.
