I am delighted to accept my Department’s Annual Report for 2006, prepared under the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997. In addressing the extensive brief of sustainable development, 2006 represented another challenging, yet productive, year for both me and my ministerial colleagues Batt O’Keefe, T.D. and Noel Ahern, T.D. The continued growth of our economy and society, in addition to the increasing international focus on issues such as climate change, has necessitated responses by my Department across a wide-ranging agenda.

Climate change issues featured prominently in 2006, with a national allocation plan for emissions trading in the 2008-2012 period being finalised and notified to the European Commission. A consultation document on the review of the National Climate Change Strategy was published in July 2006.

Additional wastewater treatment capacity equivalent to the needs of a population of over 3.1 million had been provided since 2000 and compliance with EU requirements in relation to the treatment of wastewater stood at 90% - up from 25% in 2000. Good progress continued to be made in 2006 on the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure. New procedures were introduced to advance projects to the construction stages more quickly and the resulting increase in the momentum of the Water Services Investment Programme will need to be maintained in order to deliver the goals and objectives for the sector, as set out in the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013.

Extensive research and survey work was undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service during the year to support the completion of site designations to protect our natural heritage. In April, a Biodiversity Forum was established as a Standing Committee of Comhar, with a remit to provide independent monitoring of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan.

One third of Ireland’s housing stock has been built in the past 10 years and our per capita housing output in 2006 was 20 per 1,000 population – 4 times the EU average. Over 19,400 housing units were completed in the Dublin area during the year, which represented an increase of 8% on the 2005 figure and was almost double the output achieved in 1999. The Government designated a new Strategic Development Zone at Balgaddy-Clonburris, South Dublin in July, with a net development potential of 140 hectares for residential and commercial uses. In addition, the needs of some 14,000 households were met during the year from the various social and affordable housing measures operated by the Department and local authorities.

The enactment of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 in July 2006 provides for new streamlined consent provisions applying to, among other things, major electricity transmission lines and interconnectors, strategic gas infrastructure development, major power stations, wind farms, LNG facilities and gas storage facilities. In addition, the National Spatial Strategy continues to be driven forward. The Gateway Investment Priorities Study, which was launched in October, identifies key investment needs and mechanisms to feed into national policies and programmes.

Throughout the year much work was undertaken to support and strengthen the local government sector capacity to perform to the highest possible standards. Important new provisions were introduced in the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006 to enhance funding to local authorities and internal financial controls. The publication of the second Local Authority Service Indicators detailing performance across 42 indicators of service, demonstrated that between 2004 and 2005 trends overall were shown to be moving in a positive direction.

A huge effort has been put into delivering on our many targets throughout the year. I would like to thank all of the staff within the Department, as well as our agencies, local authorities and other partner bodies, for their commitment in this regard.

Dick Roche, T.D.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government