Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the agenda highlights of the Environment Council, to be held in Brussels on 16 March 2023. [9857/23]
View answerI am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Niamh Smyth. Will the Minister provide an update on the agenda highlights of the Environment Council to be held in Brussels on 16 March 2023?
The draft agenda for the upcoming Environment Council indicates that the meeting will address the following matters: a general approach on the directive amending directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions; general approach on the Council directive on the landfill of waste; policy debates on the regulation on packaging and packaging waste, amending regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and directive (EU) 2019/904 and repealing directive 94/62/EC; and the regulation establishing a Union certification framework for carbon removals and the directive concerning urban wastewater treatment which has been recast. In non-legislative matters there will also be an exchange of views on greening the European semester. Other items may be added to the agenda as the date of the meeting approaches. The agenda changes frequently and is available on the website.
I thank the Minister of State. In December EU environment ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for the nature restoration regulation to help recover European habitats, 80% of which are in poor condition. This was a major issue. The proposal will set specific legally binding targets and obligations for nature restoration in each of the listed ecosystems.
I want to speak to the Minister of State about a project in Carlow, the Drummin Bog project. It is a voluntary not-for-profit community education project to restore the only raised bog in County Carlow. It is situated close to the River Barrow and the historic site of St. Mullin's. It is a fabulous place. The Drummin Bog project was formed in 2016 and has to apply for a variety of grants and rely on donors for support. Will the Minister of State give us an update on funding? This is a very good project. If he does not have the information today, he might send it to me.
I thank the Deputy. She has described a project in Carlow which involves the restoration of a raised bog near the River Barrow and the historic site of St. Mullin's and has asked for an update on that. I do not have information to hand immediately, but I will be very happy to give her an update. I would also be happy to meet her, as I am happy to meet any Deputy, and give her a briefing on the status of the project.
I thank the Minister of State. We need to ensure there is money for projects like this. Communication is important. This is a good community project. Perhaps the Minister of State would come back to me with the relevant information. He spoke about a meeting in March, which will include a discussion on a wastewater treatment plant. Perhaps he could come back to me on that. There are major issues in local authorities. There are always delays in funding. Will the Minister of State highlight that all local authorities will be given enough money for these projects?
These projects can provide a local amenity and attraction for tourism. They preserve biodiversity and give people a sense of pride in their area. They can be part of a just transition if jobs have been lost in Bord na Móna or other organisations. Regarding wastewater treatment, I will listen to the Deputy. If she feels any projects are not getting funding, I am happy to talk to her about that. If she briefs me on that, I will come back to her.
