Gormley outlines vision for a sustainable Irish society

Address to the 'Towards 2016' Plenary meeting at
Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin
Thursday 8th November 2007

Introduction

My vision for Irish society is one where economic, social and environmental considerations are seen as being complementary rather than conflicting. Over the past 20 years, this forum has evolved to increasingly reflect this broader more sustainable vision of Irish society.

Since I became Minister, I have seen what a key role my Department plays in delivering many of the objectives under the current partnership agreement and I have tried to play my part in advancing this important agenda.

I want to achieve a high quality environment with effective environmental protection, address climate change, improve water resources and the quality of drinking water, achieve effective conservation of our natural and built heritage, provide an efficient and effective planning system, support strong, democratic and responsive local government and provide good quality housing in sustainable communities.

Environment

The Programme for Government is committed, in accordance with the terms of Towards 2016, to integrating environmental considerations into policy formulation and to provide for better environmental enforcement. Our aim is to move Ireland into the top five countries in the world as measured by the Environmental Performance Index. I believe that this is an ambitious but realisable aim.

A revised National Climate Change Strategy was published in April 2007 detailing measures through which Ireland will meet its 2008-2012 Kyoto commitments and beyond that to 2020. Key measures include a commitment that 15% of electricity will be generated from renewable resources by 2010, and 33% by 2020; carbon offsetting of all official air travel; a €15m multi-annual Climate Change Awareness campaign and the establishment of a Commission on Climate Change, which will play a key role in monitoring Ireland's progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and in providing high level advice to Government on necessary further measures.

In addition to emissions reductions that will be delivered by fully implementing the Strategy, the Programme for Government proposes to seek all-party agreement in the Oireachtas on long-term climate change targets for Ireland.

The Government have also decided, in advance of agreeing long-term targets, to set a challenging target of a 3% reduction per year on average in our greenhouse gas emissions.

Ireland will fully comply with its Kyoto Protocol commitments and as a result, will be better positioned to meet the challenge of more ambitious targets in the post-2012 period.

The Government is increasing the level of resources available to Comhar in order to enhance its capacity to undertake analysis of policy issues and policy performance. Comhar will be established as a body within the National Economic and Social Development Office. Its functions will include monitoring and advising on the effectiveness of policy in achieving the goals of the Climate Change Strategy.

The problems we saw with the contamination of the water supplies in Galway over the last few months and the loss of some high profile blue flag beaches brought home to all of us the fact that more work needs to be done to manage our water resources. There will be ongoing, large-scale investment in water and waste water infrastructure. We also need to fully implement the Nitrates Regulations and develop additional measures for tackling all other sources of pollution.

I have already increased the powers of the EPA in relation to environmental enforcement as well as the level of fines for breaches of environmental legislation.

My party has also secured a commitment in Government that arrangements for the representation of environmental issues in Social Partnership will be considered in the course of the review of Towards 2016 in 2008.

Balanced Regional Development

Balanced Regional Development is a key objective of the Government and we are working to achieve the objectives of the National Spatial Strategy with a particular focus on development in the Gateway centres under the National Development Plan. A €300m gateway innovation fund has been established to support distinctive and innovative projects at Gateway level.

All City and County Development Plans now incorporate the policies of the National Spatial Strategy and Regional Planning Guidelines.

Housing and Sustainable Communities

The longer timeframe of this ten year agreement allows the opportunity for a major transformation of the Irish housing environment. The Government's Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities initiative places a strong emphasis on the need for continuous improvement in the quality of private and social housing. As Minister for the Environment, I want to see quality housing built in appropriate locations with proper access to public transport links, open spaces and essential amenities to foster the development of inclusive communities and a strong civic spirit.

Last March, my Department launched new design guidance on housing delivery entitled Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities. These Guidelines are intended for use by all involved in the provision of housing ' Architects, Urban Designers, Planners, Developers as well as housing authorities.

In September 2007, I also launched revised guidelines for planning authorities on Design Standards for Apartments. Given that much of the future new build in urban centres are going to be apartment dwellings, I think that this is an important and timely measure.

Social and Affordable Housing Supply

The Government's €18 billion investment in the housing sector constitutes over 66% of my Department's total capital expenditure under the National Development Plan. The accommodation needs of 140,000 new households will be met during the 2007-13 NDP period.

Data for the first six months of 2007 indicates that activity by local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative sector has increased, as measured by commencements, acquisitions and numbers of units in progress. Commencements and acquisitions on the local authority housing programme were up 15% compared to the same period in 2006 and work was in progress on over 11,500 social housing units at the end of June.

Following a 20% increase in 2006, the delivery of affordable housing in 2007 has continued to grow with 1,200 homes provided in the first six months of this year. My Department remains committed to meeting the ambitious targets set for affordable housing in Towards 2016 and continues to work closely with local authorities and the Affordable Homes Partnership to achieve the required level of output.

Homelessness

The issue of homelessness is high on my agenda as Minister. Work is progressing on the preparation of a revised Homeless Strategy under the aegis of the Cross-Departmental team on homelessness. The overarching goal of the new Strategy will be the elimination of the long term occupancy of emergency homeless accommodation by the end of 2010.

Housing Legislation

The Government has approved the drafting of new legislation to underpin a programme of social housing reforms, including a new system for assessing housing need. This and other aspects of the social housing reform programme are being advanced, in consultation with the social partners, through the Housing Forum.

Social Inclusion and Participation

A strong theme in Towards 2016 is participation, that is participation in the workforce, in the community and in decision making. My Department has placed a strong emphasis on improving facilities for older people and people with a disability, particularly in relation to access to public buildings. Multi-annual funding is being provided to assist local authorities and other bodies, under the aegis of my Department, to implement the National Disability Strategy.

My colleague, the Minister for Housing has recently announced the implementation of a revised framework of grant aid to assist older people and people with a disability or a mobility problem in addressing their accommodation needs. A National Group has also recently been established, under the Housing Forum, to develop a National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities.

My Department is committed to improving integrated service delivery at a local level. In July, I was happy to able to announce the extension ahead of target of the Social Inclusion Unit Programme to nine more City and County Councils. The Indecon Report on the review of the County and City Development Boards has recently been submitted to my Department and I will consider its recommendations carefully.

On a broader level, issues of public participation and customer service will be considered as part of the upcoming Green Paper on Local Government Reform.

Closing Remarks

In closing, I would just like to say that my Department will continue to work in co-operation with the Social Partners through the Housing Forum, Comhar and other fora in order to achieve and, where possible, exceed the objectives set out in the current Partnership Programme.