Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Taoiseach the position regarding the decision in February 2009 to include the environmental pillar in social partnership; the way this decision has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25381/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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On 8th April the Government announced its decision to establish a new Environmental Pillar in Social Partnership.

This decision, which was in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, will ensure that environmental considerations are fully reflected in Social Partnership discussions and will add an important new voice to the process at this time of great national challenge.

The Government's decision on this issue took account of the long-standing criteria against which applications to join the Social Partnership process have been considered, i.e. that organisations requesting Social Partner status be national and representative in nature; that they have the capacity to meet the demands and obligations that arise as part of this participation; and that they will add to the capacity of the social partnership process to address issues effectively.

As such it has been agreed that the Irish Environmental Network will be the key conduit for membership of this new pillar. The IEN is an umbrella organisation which represents some 28 organisations whose primary objectives and activities are environmental protection and/ or environmental sustainability.

As is the case with any organisation in Social Partnership, the IEN has formally endorsed Towards 2016 and all the measures it contains.

The process of incorporating the Environmental Pillar in the appropriate and relevant social partnership structures is ongoing in consultation with the Pillar and Departments.