Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

467. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role his Department has in the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [43768/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I have lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing the coherent implementation of  the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a whole-of-Government basis, and for the establishment of a robust SDG implementation and reporting framework. I will also present Ireland’s first Voluntary National Review to the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2018.

  Given the broad scope and cross-cutting nature of the SDGs, the Government recognises that strong and effective governance arrangements are essential to ensure high-level engagement with the 2030 Agenda and effective interdepartmental cooperation on the implementation of the Goals.

Therefore, a Senior Officials Group (SOG) has been established to co-ordinate and monitor SDG implementation and to report, as required, to Government. The SOG is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with support provided by my Department. To further support the work of the SOG, my Department has also established an Interdepartmental SDG Working Group, comprised of representatives from all Departments with responsibilities for the SDGs.  

In addition, a Sustainable Development Unit has been established within my Department. This Unit is currently preparing Ireland's first National SDG Implementation Plan, in consultation with other Departments through the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group. The National SDG implementation Plan will, inter alia, set out arrangements for SDG-related stakeholder engagement and reporting.

In line with the whole-of-Government approach to implementing the SDGs, all Ministers retain responsibility for implementing the individual SDGs relating to issues under their aegis.