Written answers

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Sustainable Development Goals

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. 

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 and the governance structure reflects a whole-of-government approach and ensures coordination and coherence, in particular where goals cover areas of shared responsibility.  

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.  

The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publication later this year. A National Progress report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess the progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 4.

I, in my capacity as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) have responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government. I also have responsibility for leading implementation of SDG 7 ‘Affordable and clean energy’, SDG 12 ‘Responsible consumption & production’, with input from the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE) and SDG 13 ‘Climate Action’.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for SDGs 3.6 and 11.2. My Department's vision for the period 2021-2023, as outlined in its Statement of Strategy, is to sustainably connect the people and places of Ireland with each other and the world. The Statement of Strategy also outlines our strategic approach to achieving this including by encouraging and supporting transport networks and services that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable in line with UN SDGs.

A link to my Department's Statement of Strategy is available here: 

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific sustainable development goal targets his Department is responsible for implementing; the progress made in implementing those targets since 26 April 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerns all government departments and agencies collectively.  As Minister for Transport I take particular interest in two targets:

SDG Target 3.6 "By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents" and SDG Target 11.2 "By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety".

In 2010, the UN declared the decade from 2011-2020 as a decade of action for road safety and set a target of halving road deaths globally by 2020. Ireland recorded 212 road deaths in 2010.  In 2020 we had reduced the number of fatalities to 149, i.e. a reduction of 29.7%.

Providing an accessible, efficient, safe and sustainable transport system that supports communities, households and businesses lies at the core of my Department’s mission and underpins all of the activities carried out by my Department. Actions to support this mission and to achieve SDG Target 11.2 are embedded in my Department’s values, vision, mission, strategic approaches, policies, investment strategies and consultative processes.  The Programme for Government commits to achieving the National Planning Framework's National Strategic Outcomes, including the sustainable mobility outcomes.  The forthcoming review of the National Development Plan will confirm the necessary funding required to deliver the outcomes by 2030.    

I should also highlight that my Department is developing a comprehensive Sustainable Mobility Policy.  The policy will, amongst other things, address the provision of access to affordable transport systems for all citizens.

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