Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Open Government Partnership

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce transparency in sustainability reporting in Government owned entities (details supplied). [36561/16]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of internationally recognised standards that may be relevant to particular organisations in particular sectors.  The role of my Department in encouraging good Governance does not extend to prescribing standards which may be of a technical nature or require a level of expertise in application that is particular to specific sectors.

My Department encourages the adoption of standards that are understood by a broad section of society and relevant to the activities of a broad range of public bodies.

The Deputy may wish to note that Ireland's Draft Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan (which has been laid before this house) contains a commitment to improve public policy in the area of Climate Action by strengthening transparency and participation in formulating Climate Action targets.  The objective is to integrate the transparency requirements of United Nations Climate Change agreements into the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan so that open government reforms can help advance climate action.

This will be advanced by implementing the National Dialogue on Climate Change.  All Government Departments, State Agencies as well as Local Authorities and sectoral representatives will be central in holding a constructive Dialogue.  Sectoral representatives will be drawn from a broad range of bodies such as: 

Community Groups;

Environmental and other Non -Governmental Organizations;

Members of the Farming Community;

Business and Trade Union representatives;

Youth organizations;

Churches and religious groups; as well as

Organizations promoting Women's Rights and Human Rights.

The draft National Action Plan is now open for public consultation, in which context the suggestion included in the Deputy's question can be considered further.

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