Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2023
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the OECD report on strengthening environmental considerations in public investment management; how he plans to work with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to respond to its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41670/23]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2021-2030 committed my Department to reviewing certain elements of the Public Spending Code to improve the Government’s understanding of the relationship and impacts of investment decisions on the wider environment and climate. As part of this programme of works, my officials worked with the OECD, funded by the EU Commission through DG REFORM’s Technical Support Instrument, on two aspects of public capital expenditure appraisal requirements in Ireland.
1. The model for assessing the emissions impact of infrastructure investment; and
2. The appraisal of investments that may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Following extensive engagement with other Departments and stakeholders including an OECD fact finding mission in April 2022 and a workshop and diffusion event in January 2023, the finalised report on Strengthening Environmental Considerations in Public Investment Management in Ireland was published in July 2023.
My Department is in the process of evaluating the OECD’s recommendations before considering what changes may be appropriate for the new Infrastructure Guidelines.
Over the longer term, as set out in the NDP 2021-2030, the Department will examine the role that the Infrastructure Guidelines can play in the achievement of broader environmental objectives and the role of the code in supporting the national commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.
