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Circular economy strategy
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7. (1) The Minister shall, prepare and submit to the Government for their approval, with such modifications (if any) as they consider appropriate, a strategy (in this Part referred to as a “circular economy strategy”) setting out the policy, objectives and priorities for the time being of the Government in relation to the circular economy.
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(2) The first circular economy strategy shall be prepared and submitted under subsection (1) not later than 6 months after the date on which this section comes into operation and thereafter a circular economy strategy shall be prepared and submitted under that subsection not less than once in every period of 3 years after the date on which the most recent circular economy strategy was published in accordance with subsection (8).
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(3) Before the Minister submits a circular economy strategy to the Government for their approval under this section, he or she shall—
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(a) consult with—
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(i) members of the public in such manner as he or she considers appropriate,
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(ii) such bodies, as he or she considers appropriate, representing economically or socially disadvantaged persons or persons who have a disability, and
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(iii) such other persons, if any, as he or she considers appropriate,
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in relation to the proposed strategy, and
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(b) ensure that a poverty impact assessment in respect of the strategy has been carried out.
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(4) The Minister shall, as soon as may be, after a circular economy strategy has been approved by the Government in accordance with this section cause that circular economy strategy to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
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(5) In making a circular economy strategy, the Minister shall, in particular, take the following into account:
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(a) the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy;
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(b) the climate action plan;
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(c) the National Biodiversity Action Plan;
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(d) the National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy, including as it relates to technologies such as anaerobic digestion;
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(e) the National Disability Inclusion Strategy;
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(f) the Roadmap for Social Inclusion;
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(g) the Programme for Government;
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(h) the National Development Plan;
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(i) the National Planning Framework;
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(j) the National Marine Planning Framework;
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(k) the law of the European Union;
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(l) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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(6) (a) For the purposes of the development of the circular economy, the circular economy strategy—
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(i) shall set out targets, in accordance with paragraph (b), in respect of each of the following sectors of the economy:
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(I) construction;
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(II) agriculture;
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(III) retail;
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(IV) packaging;
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(V) textiles;
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(VI) electronic equipment,
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(ii) may set out targets, in accordance with paragraph (b), in relation to such sectors of the economy other than those referred to in subparagraph (i), if any, as the Minister considers appropriate, and
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(iii) shall promote the use of criteria relating to the circular economy in public procurement.
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(b) The targets to be set out in respect of a sector of the economy under paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) shall include any or all of the following as the Minister considers appropriate for the sector concerned:
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(i) reductions in material resource consumption and the use of non-recyclable materials;
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(ii) increases in the use of re-usable products and materials;
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(iii) increased levels of repair and re-use of products and materials;
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(iv) improved maintenance and optimised use of goods, products and materials.
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(c) The Minister shall consult with such other Minister of the Government, if any, as he or she considers appropriate in relation to the targets to be set out in the strategy.
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(d) The Minister shall, in relation to those sectors of the economy in respect of which targets have been set out in the strategy in accordance with this subsection, promote the entering into by participants in those sectors, on a voluntary basis, of sectoral agreements in respect of those targets.
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(7) The circular economy strategy shall set out—
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(a) actions that are reasonably necessary to support Government policy on the circular economy, including measures to inform, and promote dialogue with, the public regarding the challenges and opportunities in the transition to a circular economy, and
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(b) actions necessary to meet the targets set out in the strategy.
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(8) The Minister shall publish, on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Minister or the Government—
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(a) the circular economy strategy approved by the Government under this section, and
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(b) on an annual basis, a report prepared by or on behalf of the Minister on the implementation of the strategy and the progress made in relation to—
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(i) reaching the targets set out in the strategy in accordance with subsection (6), and
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(ii) the taking of the actions set out in the strategy in accordance with subsection (7).
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