Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy makes a very good suggestion. I, along with my Secretary General and officials, will certainly take it on board. We are trying to develop sectoral plans in respect of the climate action plan in order to bring down our emissions. We have responsibility to bring down emissions from industry by approximately 50% between now and 2031, especially in areas such as cement. Perhaps, it would make sense to roll the two together; what we are trying to do on climate, as well as what we are trying to do on circular economy.

The Deputy is absolutely correct in that we need to make better use of materials. We take too many materials out of the earth, we throw too much out and we do not re-use as much as we could. There are real opportunities there. Construction is one the Deputy mentions in terms of reducing waste, increasing circularity and greater use of timber. That is something we can work because responsibility has fallen to us, under Housing for All, to drive innovation in that sector. The Deputy is absolutely right. I will add it to the list of things my Department and officials need to get done.

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