Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Hourigan's point as to whether the Minister of State is willing to strengthen the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022, I agree that we need a fundamental shift in a series of sectors, including the food sector, but there is no provision in the Bill for imposing any responsibility on Ministers other than the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, or the EPA, to develop these strategies. I raised this earlier with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and there seemed to be at least a willingness there to consider it and that is an important sector.

There is no alignment of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 to the climate action plan. The Bill is not aligned or on the same reporting cycle. Would the Minister of State consider those changes which are fundamental to the way this will work?

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