Written answers

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Department of An Taoiseach

Sustainable Development Goals

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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151. To ask the Taoiseach the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which his Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020. [25757/21]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is firmly committed to achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing coherent implementation of the SDGs, which cut across policy areas within the responsibility of many Government Departments and agencies, and touch on both domestic and international policy approaches.

The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy.

19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan. Action 4 of the plan set out a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility.

A Policy Map is maintained by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and lists all targets relating to the goals along with the lead Department, and relevant stakeholder engagement and contact details.

While my Department does not have lead responsibility regarding individual targets, our statement of strategy reiterates our support of the implementation of whole-of-government initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Taoiseach the specific sustainable development goal targets his Department is responsible for implementing; and the progress made in implementing those targets since 26 April 2018. [25775/21]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is firmly committed to achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing coherent implementation of the SDGs, which cut across policy areas within the responsibility of many Government Departments and agencies, and touch on both domestic and international policy approaches.

The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy.

A Policy Map is maintained by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and lists all targets relating to the goals along with the lead Department, and relevant stakeholder engagement and contact details. My Department does not have lead responsibility regarding individual targets.

Overall high-level political oversight of the SDGs is provided where necessary and appropriate at Government. As necessary, these discussions are prepared by a Senior Officials’ Group, chaired by my Department and supported by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

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