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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together.

The Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the programme for Government, supported through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee process. The 11 Cabinet committees established by this Government reflect the broad range of policy areas it will work on during its lifetime, as set out in the programme for Government. Cabinet committees meet regularly to continue this work. Strategy statements, which have been prepared by all Departments, reflect the key national priorities as outlined in the programme for Government.

My Department has been helping to progress key programme for Government commitments, including the delivery of the Economic Recovery Plan 2021 and the publication of a progress report in June. The plan focused on driving a sustainable jobs-rich recovery, with significant milestones, and progress achieved in this regard, including in the transition towards a decarbonised and digital economy. Other commitments include establishing a unit in my Department to help to support social dialogue, and driving delivery of our commitments on a shared island, on a whole-of-Government basis, through the shared island unit in my Department.

The Sláintecare action plan 2022 was published in June 2022. By the end of June, all 49 deliverables were on track, were progressing with minor challenges, or had been completed. We are developing a well-being framework for Ireland, for which a well-being portal and well-being information hub have been developed. A second report reflecting the outcomes of considerable consultation and ongoing research was published by the Government this year, and a framework and accompanying high-level analysis fed into the budget process this year.

The national marine planning framework was published in June 2021 and the Maritime Area Planning Act was signed into law in December 2021.

The implementation of the Housing for All strategy is driving delivery of key housing-related commitments.

Engagement with European Union leaders to advance a range of high-level objectives in the programme for Government is ongoing, in particular relating to the energy crisis, Brexit, economic issues, external relations and Covid. In addition, we are pursuing a strong, collective response to Russia's war and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

There has been ongoing monitoring and management of the impact of Covid-19 on the provision of both Covid and non-Covid healthcare.

We have been supporting the work of the United Nations through our membership of the UN Security Council.

Oversight of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future, which is the Government plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, has been ongoing.

Harnessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework, which is a high-level framework to position Ireland as a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments, was published in February. It sets out a pathway to drive and enable the digital transition across the economy and society.

We have been progressing work on the Government's response to the Future of Media Commission.

Two Citizens' Assemblies - those on gender equality and biodiversity loss - have completed their work. Work is continuing on the Citizens' Assembly on a directly elected mayor for Dublin. Two further assemblies, one dealing with the issue of drug use and the other on the future of education, are under consideration subject to Government decision and Oireachtas approval.

A transitional team has been established in my Department to progress the administrative elements of the establishment of the electoral reform commission, which is anticipated later this year.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed into law. The Climate Action Plan 2021, which includes the national retrofit plan, adoption of the carbon budget programme, and agreement of the sectoral emission ceilings, has been published.

An update of the climate action plan will be published before the end of the year. Ensuring progress on implementation of the programme for Government will continue to be a priority across all Departments as well as through the work of the Cabinet committees.

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