A NEW framework designed to achieve the objectives of the strategy includes the establishment of an independently chaired National Sustainable Development Council "to facilitate participation by economic, social and environmental interests in the achievement of sustainable development".
The council would include "wide representation from the social partners and environmental NGOs" (non-governmental organisations), and its role would be to advise the Government on "the implementation of policies and actions under this strategy and assist in the monitoring and review process".
In particular, it would review reports prepared by Government Departments and the Environmental Protection Agency, each of which would be responsible for "detailed and effective implementation of the strategy". These would "feed into periodic reviews of the strategy by Government
The council would also be responsible for reviewing implementation of Agenda 21 the programme of action agreed at the 1922 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as well as preparing national reports to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. It would also join similar bodies within the EU.
According to the document, the Government will also propose that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Sustainable Development should become a standing committee of the Oireachtas with a new mandate to "oversee relevant policy development and strategy implementation".
It says local authorities would have a "pivotal role" in relation to environmental protection and sustainable development. They would be asked to complete a Local Agenda 21 for their areas by 1998, while joint projects involving local authorities and NGOs would be co-financed by a new Environmental Partnership Fund.
An eco-management and audit scheme would be developed for local government, as well as proposals for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) system for major sectoral plans and programmes, within three years.
Defining its "vision", the strategy seeks "to ensure that economy and society in Ireland can develop their full potential within a well protected environment, without compromising the quality of that environment and with responsibility towards present and future generations and the wider international community".
Within this aim, the Government affirms that it is committed to the following core principles:
. Ireland's environment must be protected for its own intrinsic value.
. A well-managed environment sustains a healthy economy and a good quality of life.
. Economic growth and social development cannot be to the detriment of environmental quality and must respect the limits set by nature this must involve changes in production and consumption patterns.
. Everyone is entitled to a clean, healthy environment and shares with the Government the duty to maintain that environment.
. Environmentally sustainable development requires, and can only succeed with, the participation of the whole of society.
. Responsibility towards future generations involves the free transfer of natural capital unburdened by pollution and waste.
. The developed world bears a high responsibility for global environmental problems and must show leadership in implementing sustainable development policies.
. Government and other public authorities must work to protect the environment and be proactive in fostering partnerships with economic and social groups.
. A quality environment is the natural heritage of the whole of Ireland policies in relation to conservation and environmental excellence will be co-ordinated, where appropriate, on a North-South basis.