Vol. 467 No. 7
170 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding the implementation of Agenda 21; and his views in relation to the interactions that have occurred between his Department, local authorities and local environment groups. [14388/96]
The National Substainable Development Strategy, which is in its final stages of preparation, will provide an overall framework for policies and actions to address the sustainable development issues raised in Agenda 21. In June 1995, my Department published guidlines to assist local authorities in taking initiatives in their functional areas in regard to local Agenda 21. In parallel, my Department also supported a conference on local Agenda 21, which was specifically aimed at local authorities and local environmental groups. Good responses have already emerged to these initiatives.
Support is also provided to local authorities and environmental groups, on an ongoing basis, through my Department's annual environmental awareness awards.
