Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

557. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the efforts he has made to implement the recommendation regarding assigning overall responsibility for the peatland conservation programme under actions 131 and 134 of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and chapter 8 page 75 of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37591/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Better management of peatlands and soils under Actions 131 to 134 in the Plan will support the protection and enhancement of the carbon sink function of peatland landscapes, including through assessment and implementation of mitigation options on post-production, peat extraction sites, and the implementation of measures for peatlands conservation. The Plan recognises the current position that a number of different bodies are responsible for the management of Ireland's peatlands and identifies the relevant lead responsible body and relevant stakeholders in respect of each action. In this respect, I am satisfied that the Plan provides for effective implementation of actions relating to the management of peatlands. The plan also established a Climate Action Delivery Board to oversee the delivery of all actions in the Plan and to hold each Department and public body to account for their responsibilities under the Plan. The Delivery Board, which is chaired jointly by the Secretary General to the Government and the Secretary General of my Department, is required to present a delivery report to the Cabinet Committee and the Cabinet, which will be published on a quarterly basis, with the first quarterly report to cover the period to the end of September 2019.