Environmental Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 December 2019

Thursday, 12 December 2019

Ceisteanna (301)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

301. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to revise the corporate governance framework in view of the fact the current framework does not explicitly commit his Department to engagement with environmental interests and stakeholders in comparison with extensive provision for economic interests and other internal and external stakeholders; his views on whether environmental sustainability requires the inclusion and participation of environmental interests at each stage of the policy process; and his plans to ensure environmental interests and appropriate environmental expertise will be reflected in each policy process, board, conference and working group that falls under his remit. [52478/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department regularly engages with the Environmental Pillar on all aspects of policy and the Deputy should be aware that the Pillar have been invited to be represented on the new Stakeholder Committee to develop Ireland’s Agri-Food Strategy to 2030.

My Department’s Corporate Governance Framework reiterates the Department’s mission, which is to “lead, develop and regulate the sustainable development of the agri-food, forestry and marine sectors, to optimise their contribution to national economic and social development and to the natural environment and to the protection of public health”. The Framework also sets out our commitment to “effective public consultation processes and comprehensive engagement with domestic and international stakeholders”.

I am satisfied that the document, which was reviewed in September of this year, reflects the importance of environmental considerations and provides for an appropriate consultative approach.