Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
163. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will outline the key measures in the new Economy Strategy 2026-2028: Accelerating Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27697/26]
View answerThe second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028 was published on the 24 February this year and represents the next phase of Ireland’s transition towards a resource-efficient, innovation-driven, and low-carbon economy. It replaces and builds upon the first Circular Economy Strategy (2021–2023) and is prepared under section 7 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, giving it statutory authority.
The strategy sets actions and targets across key priority sectors to deliver environmental and economic benefits, including:
• Construction – Publication of a Circularity Roadmap for the Construction Sector in 2026 and agreement on a sectoral compact partnership between the Government and Construction Industry to accelerate circular practices.
• Bioeconomy (including agriculture) – Publication of a new National Bioeconomy Strategy and Food Waste Prevention Roadmap by 2026 to support sustainable biomass use and cut food waste by 50% by 2030.
• Retail – Greater support for repair, re-use and waste prevention, including Bring-Your-Own container options in food service from 2027.
• Packaging – Implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, aiming for a 5% packaging waste reduction by 2030 and 90% plastic bottle collection by 2029.
• Textiles – Launch of a National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles in 2026, with nationwide full and enhanced separate textile collection by 2030.
• Electronics – Expansion of repair and remanufacturing, transposition of the Right to Repair Directive, and support for Ireland’s repair and reuse network.
The Strategy is available at the following link: []www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/whole-of-government-circular-economy-strategy-2026-2028-accelerating-action/.
