Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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182. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recent decision to enable Ireland to prohibit or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified organisms here in view of the fact that scientific experts have said that the next generation of gene edited crops has the potential to cut climate emissions in agriculture and boost global food security as outlined in an article (details supplied). [41657/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (supported by the Environmental Protection Agency) is responsible for the authorisation of GM crops for cultivation.  Earlier this year, the Government approved the transposition of Directive 2015/412 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015, which will enable, though not compel, Ireland to opt out of cultivation of GMO crops approved for cultivation elsewhere in the EU. The legal instrument to give effect to the transposition will shortly be signed. Notwithstanding the transposition of this Directive, the Government intends to keep Ireland's GMO cultivation policy under ongoing review, particularly in light of scientific developments in this rapidly evolving sector.

The Department also notes the recent decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in relation to evaluating New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) under existing GMO regulations, and, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will continue to monitor this situation with respect to implications for human and animal health and the environment. In relation to reducing climate emissions in the agriculture sector and food security, these issues come under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in terms of respective inputs to the National Mitigation Plan and International Food Security.