Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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979. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the recurring weekly meetings attended by either her or the Secretary General of her Department in 2019 at which climate change and or preparations within her Department to enact a climate plan has been an agenda item; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31337/19]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I am briefed on a regular basis by senior officials in relation to climate action initiatives in my Department and on biodiversity initiatives with a climate action impact. I have published for consultation two draft climate adaptation plans - one on built heritage, and one on natural heritage and  I intend to complete these plans on time for final publication by the end of September 2019.

My Department has had significant input into the Climate Action Plan published by my colleague Minister Bruton and I met with him recently to discuss the details of that contribution.

In February this year, I hosted the first National Biodiversity conference and I am currently promoting the 40 Seeds for Nature initiative arising from the conference. Many of these Seeds have a significant climate action impact, and I am regularly briefed on the progress of this initiative.

The Secretary General of my Department is a member of the Climate Action Delivery Board, comprising Secretaries General from Departments responsible for the delivery of actions outlined in the Climate Action Plan. The Delivery Board will ensure an effective whole of Government delivery of the Plan and will report on progress in implementing the Plan on a quarterly basis to the Cabinet Committee and the Government.

In summary, and given the important links between climate action, biodiversity and nature conservation, both myself and the Secretary General are in regular contact with relevant officials, and my Department is progressing climate action and biodiversity policies as a core component of its remit in the heritage area in particular.