Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 20 to 24, inclusive, provide for an annual review of a circular economy strategy and for publication of that review. I have looked at these amendments and I believe it is important that we have regular monitoring and reviews, and that we would use the outcome of those reviews to see that the objectives are being achieved and whether we need to change direction. It is also important that we do not get caught up in reviewing things too frequently and using up excessive resources by getting into a cycle of reviewing rather than doing. It is particularly the case where the legislation does provide for a full update of the strategy every three years. That said, I do agree that it would be appropriate for the Minister to conduct an annual review of the circular economy strategy.

While I am not accepting amendments Nos. 20 to 24, I will bring amendments on Report Stage to provide for a review. It is my intention to bring these amendments in the same form as those found in amendments Nos. 48 and 49, which Deputies Bruton and Smith brought with regard to the food waste strategy. I will use that as a template. I believe that these provide for a proportionate reporting requirement, and they give effect to the intention of the amendments brought in relation to this issue. While I am not accepting the amendments, they have given me the idea to rewrite them and get them into the next Stage. I thank the Deputies for bringing them forward and for their contributions.