Vol. 488 No. 3
32 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when it is proposed to establish the national environment partnership forum promised in An Action Programme for the Millennium; the proposed membership; its terms of reference; the powers it will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5852/98]
The reply to Question No. 43 of 14 October 1997 indicated my intention to establish the National Environment Partnership Forum as early as possible in 1998 following a period of consultation with the social partners and non-governmental organisations. Early in January, I invited written submissions on a consultation paper, circulated widely by my Department, regarding possible membership, terms of reference and organisational arrangements for the forum. Over 120 responses to this paper have now been received, and the issues involved will be further developed at a consultative conference later this month. I will await the outcome of that conference before finalising details of the forum.
