Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise the engagement his Department has had on its role in revitalising the Irish wool industry; if he has engaged with the Minister for Agriculture on this focus from a sustainability and climate action perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38266/23]
View answerThe Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 recognises textiles as a priority sector to effect Ireland's transition to a sustainable and circular economy and provides that the next Whole Circular Economy Strategy will include targets for more sustainable production and consumption of textiles in Ireland.
To advance this work, I have established a Textile Advisory Group which is working to identify opportunities for Government to promote, facilitate and enable circularity in the textiles’ ecosystem and examine the way in which textiles are designed, produced, used, and discarded. The Group consists of relevant industry, community and regulatory representatives. Further information on the work of this Group can be found at - www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/528f7-circular-economy/#textiles.
I understand that stakeholders from the Irish wool sector are participating in this process and are attending a series of workshops organised by the Advisory Group.
I would welcome a contribution to our work on textiles from colleagues at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will arrange for their inclusion in the next phase of our Textile Advisory Group work.
Finally, the European Commission has proposed a new Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) which will underpin the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. My Department, on a joint basis with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has been involved in the development of this Regulation which is currently being negotiated at EU level and is due to be finalised this year. Ireland is fully supportive of the development and implementation of measures at European level, given the global nature of textile value chains, while ensuring clarity and consistency for regulators, consumers, and businesses across the EU. I anticipate that these developments will also support and benefit the Irish wool industry.
