Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 June 2023
44. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the new actions that are being put in place in advance of the UN SDG High Level Political Forum in New York in July, to ensure Ireland reaches the furthest behind in Irish society first; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28700/23]
View answerLeaving no-one behind is the focus of Ireland’s 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) objectives and the inspiration for the development of Ireland’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) which I look forward to delivering at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July.
This focus runs throughout the entire report as we reflect as a country on what we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic; areas where we are doing well; areas where improvement is required; and our progress in implementing the SDG targets for all people, reaching the furthest behind first.
It reflects Ireland’s strong economic recovery following the pandemic and our efforts to build back better guided by the SDGs and Agenda 2030. It comprehensively demonstrates the extensive suite of national policies which continue to be introduced to support and address the SDGs and their associated targets. These policies also ensure delivery across areas of national importance and provide strategic frameworks for progress and success.
We have adopted a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to implementing the SDGs, by embedding a framework into national and local government work to ensure a coherent system-wide approach, as well as greater dialogue and joined-up thinking between policy makers across sectors.
Ireland’s first National Implementation Plan provided a framework for Ireland to work towards implementing the SDGs, including through the support of national policies which contribute to meeting the Goals, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder participation. The timing of this VNR coincides with Ireland’s second National Implementation Plan 2022 - 2024 for the Sustainable Development Goals building on the structures and mechanisms from the first Plan, developing and integrating additional approaches in areas identified through review and consultation that require further action.
As we enter the third Decade of Action for the SDGs, I recognise the urgency of moving into the next phase of implementation and the actions identified in the new Plan are essential to this transition.
