Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The amendments in this group relate to the circular economy programme. The programme gives effect to the objectives set out in the circular economy strategy. The strategy is prepared by the Minister and approved by the Government. As such, the programme gives operational effect to the objectives in the strategy, which are drafted by the Minister and subject to Government approval. It is appropriate, therefore, that the new programme, which includes statements of the EPA's existing waste prevention programmes, is established by the EPA. The agency is an independent statutory body. It would not be appropriate for the Minister to contravene that independence by intervening on EPA operational decision-making. It is for that reason I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 24 and 27.

The circular economy programme is a long-term programme. I believe that six years is an appropriate length of time for the programme to be effective and achieve real results. I think that a three-year programme is not long enough. It would also run the risk that excessive resources get caught up in an ongoing cycle of drafting new programmes at the expense of making progress with the objectives of the programme itself and for that reason, I do not propose to accept amendments No. 28.

The circular economy programme gives effect to the objectives of the circular economy strategy. As I said earlier, the strategy includes a specific requirement on the Minister to take the national disability inclusion strategy and the roadmap for social inclusion into account. I think that this will give effect to what amendment No. 25 seeks to achieve. As a result I do not think that amendment No. 25 is necessary and I will not be accepting it.

Lastly, I do not propose to accept amendment No. 29. The agency may furnish a copy of the programme to any person, body, organisation or group that the Minister may prescribe for the purpose of the section. I am happy to request that the EPA furnishes a copy of the programme to the committee. Given that the functions of committees tend to change over time, and I think that the committee name will change as well, so I do not think it is appropriate to include the name of the committee in the legislation. I confirm that I will not accept amendment No. 29.