John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and the Minister for coming before the committee today. I appreciate how busy his schedule is and that he is taking time for the climate action committee. I have three basic questions and the Minister can touch on each one. On the national development plan and the projects that are being supported through the NDP, how will the Minister ensure that sustainability will be at the forefront of those projects? Second, related to European funding as well, what is the role of EU funding in achieving our climate objectives and does that funding from the European Union have a role in Ireland? Third, how does the Minister think the importance of the sustainability criteria in the spending decisions being made across Government Departments could be improved?