Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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29. To ask the Taoiseach his Department’s priorities for 2018. [3448/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has just published its revised Statement of Strategy reflecting the priorities for the period ahead as well as the changes that have taken place following my appointment as Taoiseach. This includes the establishment of a new configuration of Cabinet Committees which encompasses the Government’s national priorities for the coming years.

The Strategy Statement is aligned to the Government's key priorities and policies, and sets out the following six strategic priorities:

1. Providing excellent support services for the Taoiseach and Government;

2. Ensuring Ireland has sustainable economy;

3. Helping to ensure that Government policies and services support a socially inclusive and fair society;

4. Ensuring that Ireland maintains strong relationships in Europe and the World;

5. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for Ireland in relation to Brexit across all four priorities identified by the Government; and

6. Planning for the future in the context of all of the many uncertainties arising in the international environment.

It also incorporates the work of the department linked to specific initiatives including work relating to the Citizens’ Assembly, Data Protection, Strategic Communications and a number of statutory inquiries. Arising from the work to date of the Citizens’ Assembly and the work of the previous Constitutional Convention, the Government has published an indicative timetable for a number of referendums during 2018 and 2019.

We will also continue to provide leadership on signature national projects such as Creative Ireland, Global Ireland 2025, Project Ireland 2040, the ten year Capital Investment Plan and the Climate Change Mitigation Plan.

Protecting Ireland's growing economy is critical to ensuring Ireland is an equal society creating equal opportunities for all its people to participate and share in our prosperity and the new revised Statement of Strategy will guide the work of my Department in achieving these goals in the years ahead.