Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there were upwards of 400 persons at the sustainability gathering in Dublin Castle recently, all demanding government action on policy for sustainability; and his plans to fast-track policy to support clean energy and sustainable business. [37399/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I welcome the interest reflected at the Sustainability Gathering 2016 and indeed note the participation of relevant officials from my own Department in the discussions that took place.  It will be important to continue this dialogue as I have responsibility for a number of key areas where policy is being progressed consistent with, and in support of, sustainable development.

Sustainability is an important policy principle supporting on-going climate-action related work. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 provides statutory recognition of the 'national transition objective' – the goal of pursuing a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.  In order to facilitate the achievement of this objective, the 2015 Act provides for the development and submission to Government of national mitigation plans and adaptation frameworks which must take account of, inter alia, the need to promote sustainable development in performing functions related to these measures.

I intend shortly to initiate a public consultation on a new Clean Air Strategy for Ireland. The initiatives on climate action and air quality are key steps in progressing national policy in support of transition to a low-carbon, competitive and environmentally sustainable future.

The Energy White Paper, Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, sets out a long-term vision to guide Irish energy policy and actions to be taken in the energy sector from now until 2030, in order to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce our fossil fuel dependency. The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes in place to accelerate the development and diversification of renewable energy in Ireland including the REFIT schemes which underpin the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies. Two new renewables support schemes are also under development including a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) aimed at increasing renewables in the heat sector and a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme aimed at providing support for renewable electricity.

Concerning waste, my Department is actively engaged in the on-going discussions on the EU action plan on the circular economy.  The circular economy aims to replace the ‘take-make-dispose’ model of production with a more sustainable one that champions recycling and renewables, the reduction of emissions and waste, minimum extraction of virgin raw materials and the reuse of valuable components and materials.

Finally, Our Sustainable Future – the Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland, which was launched in June 2012, identifies some 70 measures to be implemented across Government and tasks a high-level inter-departmental group with ensuring that the vision set out in the policy document is translated into clear and effective action. The report on implementation of the framework published last year described how Ireland continues to move in the right direction generally across the spectrum of sustainable development goals.  As economic activity increases, maintaining the focus on sustainability in parallel with economic recovery and growth will be critical.