Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

976. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the commitment of Ireland to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plans 2020-2025 of his Department; the way in which progress towards achieving the SDGs will be monitored and reported annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20760/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all countries of the United Nations, has seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is a whole-of-government response to the delivery of Ireland’s SDG commitments. My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing the coherent implementation of the SDGs on a whole-of-Government basis, while other Ministers retain responsibility for implementing the individual SDGs relating to issues under their aegis. My Department is a lead on the following five SDGs:

-Goal 2: Zero Hunger

- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

- Goal 14: Life below Water

- Goal 15: Life on Land

- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Progress on these is reported to the CSO SDG Governance Board.

As part of the National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, there was a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility. My Department’s new Statement of Strategy, due to be published within six months of Government formation, will include the SDGs.

The Agri-Food 2030 Committee, made up of stakeholders from across the sector, is currently engaged in a process to develop a new 10-year industry vision to succeed Food Wise 2025. This will also feature the SDGs.

Preparations are also due to commence at the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group for the next National Implementation Plan (2021-2023), which is expected to be published early next year.