Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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359. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made by his Department in respect of targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12908/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In Ireland, a whole-of-Government approach has been taken to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The work of my Department is associated with the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 9:Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

A renewed National Development Plan was published in October 2021, setting out the Irish Government's infrastructure priorities for the coming decade to 2030. The Government is targeting 5% of national income for investment in infrastructure and R&I across the decade with a total investment of €165 billion. In 2023, €12.1 billion is being invested in much needed infrastructure to deliver economic, social and climate action objectives. The priority projects are centred around the 10 National Strategic Objectives set out in the National Planning Framework: Compact Growth; Enhanced Regional Accessibility; Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities; Sustainable Mobility; A Strong Economy, supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills; High-Quality International Connectivity; Enhanced Amenity and Heritage; Transition to a Climate-Neutral and Climate Resilient Society; Sustainable Management of Water and other Environmental Resources;Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services. Taken together, the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework make up Project Ireland 2040.

Goal 12:Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

With reference to SDG 12.7, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) promotes sustainable procurement in diverse fora, including via its Procurement Officer Network and its website. The OGP coordinates the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, which brings together government departments wishing to use public procurement strategically to address their environmental and social policy objectives. The OGP and its partner Central Purchasing Bodies are including environmental and social considerations in their central purchasing arrangements. By the end of 2022, 156 out of the current 244 arrangements had been updated in line with Green Public Procurement (GPP) policy. In 2022, the OGP led the development of GPP Criteria Search, at GPPCriteria.gov.ie, an online search tool to facilitate ease of use of the Irish GPP criteria published by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s report on contracts awarded by government departments in 2020 showed that in the eight priority sectors set out in Green Tenders, Ireland's National Action Plan on GPP, 81% by value was reported as GPP.

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

A variety of different actions have been progressed that come with the scope of this SDG and its focus on developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (SDG 16.6). The Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022 was published in September 2022 and finished its passage through Dáil Éireann on 1 March 2023. It is scheduled to be considered in the Seanad after Easter. The Bill aims to further strengthen Ireland's lobbying laws by improving the operation of the Lobbying Register, strengthen the existing legislation and its enforcement, and providing for sanctions for failure to comply with the post term employment restrictions in the legislation. This function was transferred to the Minister for Finance with effect from 1 March 2023 (SI No.89 of 2023).

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 was amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 which takes into account the provisions of the new EU Whistleblowing Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1937). The 2022 Amendment Act was enacted in July 2022 and its provisions commenced on 1 January 2023. It provides for a much broader scope, introduces a requirement for formal reporting channels with clear timelines for feedback for certain categories of employers, and reverses the burden of proof in civil proceedings.

The 2020 Programme for Government contains a commitment to “reform and consolidate the Ethics in Public Office Legislation”. As a first step in meeting this commitment, the Minister asked the Department to undertake a review of Ethics legislation in advance of bringing fresh proposals to Government. The Government approved the Review Report for publication and approved the preparation of a General Scheme for legislation based on the reports recommendations in December 2022. The report was published on 7 February 2023 and work has begun on a General Scheme. This function was transferred to the Minister for Finance with effect from 1 March 2023 (SI No.89 of 2023).

The following should also be noted that as part of the commitment to strengthening corporate governance in the civil service and following a consultation process, the Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service was published in 2018. The standard sets out a summary of good governance principles and an adaptable governance framework to be used by each Department and Office in the development of their governance frameworks. In accordance with the principles set out in the Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service, each Department and Office has documented and published their governance arrangements on their website.

In addition to SDG 16.6, there is also a focus on ensuring public access to information and to protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements (SDG 16.10). A review of the Freedom of Information Act is almost complete. An update on progress on the review was published in December 2022. The main themes emerging are the need (1) for a more coherent approach to information governance and access; (2) to supplement formal FOI requests; and (3)improvements to the request process. It is intended to bring legislative proposals, informed by the review, to Government in 2023.

With regard to this SDG and its focus on ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels (SDG 16.7), the Department has convened its Open Government Round Table (made up of Government and Civil Society Members) on two occasions during Q1 2023. The Round Table has agreed the four thematic areas for the co-creation of Ireland's fourth Open Government National Action Plan 4 (2023-2025). On 8 March, the Open Government National Action Plan 2023-2025-Public Consultation was launched. There have also been a number of initiatives undertaken, including targeted events and an enhanced website, to raise awareness of State Board positions, provide comprehensive material on the roles available including the roles and responsibilities of a State Board member.

With regard to this SDG and its focus on ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance within national legislation and international agreements (SDG 16.10), Ireland instigated its Open Data Initiative in 2015. A key output of this initiative is the national open data portal, data.gov.ie, which now provides access to over 14,500 datasets in open format which are being widely accessed and reused.The second Open Data Strategy (2023-2027) is currently being drafted following a series of online and in-person public consultations in 2022 to better understand the public needs and priorities. These will be reflected in the priorities and activities highlighted in the strategy. Furthermore, the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 is now fully commenced. As part of the implementation of this legislation the Data Governance Board has been established. The data sharing framework that underpins the data sharing principles outlined in the Data Sharing and Governance Act is now in use across the Public Service. An area specialising in data governance is now in situ to assist departments across the public service to utilise the data sharing framework (to date 48 organisations have aligned with the process) and the development of data sharing standards is underway and due to be completed by quarter four 2023.