Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the evaluation of his Department's Sustainable Development Strategy 2003-2005 will be carried out, as stated in section 7.3 of the Strategy; and when a follow-up strategy will be produced. [16396/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Environment Unit is currently preparing an implementation report on the Sustainable Development Strategy 2003-2005. The report will identify areas in which progress has been achieved, including the following. In the area of climate change the Department had a very significant involvement with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in regard to negotiations at EU and national level on the development, and implementation, of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme which commenced on 1st January, 2005. Through their participation in Emissions Trading, Irish companies are making a very significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which will facilitate Ireland in meeting its Kyoto target.

In the area of competitive sustainability, the Department contributed to the development among other things of the EU Environmental Technologies Action Programme (ETAP), which is designed to stimulate the development and uptake of environmental products and services, thus enabling the EU to gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

In the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the report will cover, inter alia, issues under the heading of sustainable management practices.

In the area of Departmental Sustainability, a Departmental Green Team was established to promote the incorporation of best environmental practice into the Department's operations, and a Departmental Environmental Management Plan was drawn up and is being implemented.

Upon completion of the implementation report, the Unit will consult with stakeholders to consider how best to progress the Sustainable Development agenda within Irish enterprise over the coming years, learning from the experience gained from implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy 2003-2005.