Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sustainable Development.

Martin Cullen

Ceist:

40 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for the Environment the action, if any, he is taking to ensure that, by 1996, every local authority will have consulted its citizens and developed a local agenda 21 for the community as agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

"Agenda for Change", which is a plain language version of Agenda 21 and other agreements of the RIO Conference, was circulated by ENFO — my Department's environmental information service — in October 1993 to all sections of the community, including national and local elected representatives, community and voluntary groups, and local authorities. Ready availability of this document is intended to promote recognition of the fact that sustainable development is a shared responsibility of all sections of society and is essential to the advancement of awareness and partnerships needed to implement such development.

Public policies and programmes continue to be promoted and adapted to ensure sustainable development. This process includes a range of initiatives undertaken by local authorities in co-operation with their communities which are relevant to the fulfilment of Agenda 21. I intend to consider shortly the need for a more formalised approach by local authorities in this matter.

In the meantime, my Department has submitted the required report to the Commission on Sustainable Development on progress in Ireland in relation to the UNCED process. Further monitoring and reporting in relation to this process will be continued.