Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

387. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the date for the next meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment in sectoral format, as provided for in the North-South Ministerial Council; the issues to be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The next meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (Environment Sector) is scheduled to take place on 14 September 2016.

While the agenda for the forthcoming meeting has not yet been agreed, recent meetings enabled us to address common challenges in a mutually beneficial way through enhanced co-operation and joint action on a range of environmental issues. These include water and air quality, cross-border waste management, environmental protection and research and drawdown of EU funding for environmental projects. Recent discussions have also explored the potential for even greater collaboration on climate issues and water quality, including water and sewerage services.

Furthermore, in addition to these areas of common interest, I expect that as envisaged at the NSMC Plenary discussion on the recent UK referendum result, Minister Michelle McIlveen, my Northern Ireland counterpart, and I will consider the potential implications of the Leave vote for North/South co-operation in the areas for which we have responsibility.