Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Bord na Móna

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he intends to amend the legal mandate of Bord na Móna to ensure that the protection and restoration of the environment and climate action are core obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9978/23]

Photo of Neasa HouriganNeasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress on plans to amend the Turf Development Acts 1998 to ensure that Bord na Móna is required to take into account climate, biodiversity, and water objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9727/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 141 together.

Bord na Móna (BnM) is already obliged to comply with climate, biodiversity, water and other environmental objectives set out in the Programme for Government, Government strategy and policy documents and legislation. There are a number of tools and mechanisms available to ensure that this happens such as Shareholder Letters of Expectations, rolling corporate plans and strategies and consideration of consent requests from the Company.

BnM is progressing through a period of radical change underpinned by its ‘Brown to Green’ strategy. This includes major investment in renewable energy, restoration of depleted boglands and further development of its integrated waste management business. The Government increased BnMs borrowing limit from €400m to €650m to support its strategy.

These measures support the delivery of the targets and ambition set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Climate Action Plan 2023, and the delivery of the Government's circular economy agenda.

There are no plans to amend the Turf Development Acts at this point.

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