Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive, together.

I am advised by NESC on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. The NESC work programme in 2022 has five main areas, including to carry out a major piece of research and consultation on climate, biodiversity and how to achieve a just transition in agriculture, and to continue to help us deepen our understanding of how to deliver more affordable and sustainable housing systems, drawing on international and national experience, including ongoing work in Ireland on cost rental. NESC is continuing to work on Ireland's well-being framework by examining how well-being frameworks are implemented in practice. NESC has undertaken an extensive programme of research and consultation to support the shared island initiative. It produced a report on the shared island in quarter 1 of 2022, which made recommendations in five key areas: economy and infrastructural investment; social policy; climate and biodiversity; well-being frameworks; and data co-ordination. It examined aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic to help identify strategic lessons about public governance and how Government can be supported to arrange and manage its activity to deliver the best results for society. The findings of this examination were published in June this year.

NESC published five reports in 2021 and two reports in 2022, as follows: the Covid-19 Pandemic: Lesson for Irish Public Policy - Council Report No. 158; Shared Island: Shared Opportunity, NESC Comprehensive Report - Council Report No. 157; Grounding the Recovery in Sustainable Development: A Statement from the Council - NESC Report No. 152; Shared Island: Projects, Progress and Policy Scoping Paper - NESC Report No. 153; Digital Inclusion in Ireland: Connectivity, Devices and Skills - NESC Report No. 154; Ireland's Well-Being Framework: Consultation Report - NESC Report No. 155; and Collaboration on Climate and Biodiversity: Shared Island as a Catalyst for Renewed Ambition and Action - NESC Report No. 156. As reports are finalised in the relevant areas, they are brought to Government for approval in advance of publication.

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