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Government Focus on Climate Action and Sustainability at 2019 National Ploughing Championships

  • ​Minister Bruton to lead discussion on Climate Action Plan
  • Brexit and climate action a central focus for Government of Ireland exhibits

Climate Action and sustainability will be a key focus for the government at the National Ploughing Championships this year, with Minister Bruton leading a discussion on the recently published All of Government Climate Action Plan on Wednesday 18 September 2019.

Minister Bruton said:

"Our society must take action now to ensure that our homes, our enterprises, our farms and our communities will be resilient in a very challenging and fast-paced world. Agriculture is Ireland's largest single source of greenhouse gas but is also Ireland's single greatest carbon sink. I look forward to discussing how new farming methods and new opportunities in the bio economy can strength the resilience and sustainability of our land use."

Attendees can learn more about the Climate Action Plan 2019 and how they can get involved in meeting the climate challenge in the Government of Ireland Environment and Sustainability marquee in the Government of Ireland Village. They can also find out more about Ireland's progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the SDG Champions for 2019 being revealed.

Sustainability is a central theme across the government marquees at the NPC. Government Exhibitors will limit merchandise and only provide informational leaflets where necessary; all 700 bins of the full NPC site will feature Government of Ireland information from MyWaste on sorting and recycling on the AES waste signage; and a discount has been negotiated for visitors who bring keep cups for tea and coffee with Rumbles, the site vendor.

SEAI will be informing visitors of the range of home and agri-business energy efficiency grants and measures available and EPA will be showcasing info and initiatives in relation to septic tanks, food waste, and other sustainability initiatives. Representatives from the Climate Action Regional Offices, and the Regional Waste Management Offices (via My Waste) will be on hand to answer visitor queries on climate adaptation and sustainability in communities.

National Broadband Plan

Reflecting the importance of the National Broadband Plan for rural Ireland, there will also be information for visitors on broadband rollout in the Connectivity Marquee, with representatives from the National Broadband Plan team and Mobile and Broadband Taskforce on hand to talk visitors through the interactive broadband map.

Eircodes, Digital Skills, Smart Farming

The Eircodes team will also be exhibiting and offering assistance in using your Eircode for a range of purposes, including anti-theft property marking. In the Learning marquee, the Digital Skills for Citizens Initiative will be offering attendees advice on enhancing their computer and online skills, and the School Digital Champion programme will be showcasing some fantastic interactive work. In the LEO Village, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme team will be on hand to talk small businesses through the benefit of getting their business online.

Geological Survey Ireland will be there, discussing wells and groundwater on the farm, as well as the GSI/Teagasc smart farming project, "Terra Soil". Inland Fisheries Ireland will have an engaging display of fish, as well as their ever-popular angling simulator.

Brexit

The Government of Ireland will have a significant presence at the NPC this year, with 150 Government Exhibitors in 19 marquees across 13,000sq metres. The Brexit Hub will encompass the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, the Business and Employment: Welfare and Tax marquee and the Government of Ireland central marquee. Information and advice will be on hand about the practical steps we all can take to prepare for Brexit. Businesses, consumers and members of the public are being encouraged to visit the Government of Ireland's Brexit Hub at this year's National Ploughing Championships (NPC). The Hub, located in the Government of Ireland Village, will include stands, exhibitors and demonstrations providing a range of practical tips and information on how to prepare for Brexit, whether you are a businessperson or a consumer. With an expected attendance of a quarter of a million people, the NPC 2019 is seen as an important opportunity to engage directly with members of the public on the steps we can all take to be Brexit ready.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

  • The Government of Ireland marquee will host a series of events over the three days - including daily Brexit Readiness workshops, Ministerial panel discussions and discussions on topics such as Women in Sport. It will also act as an information hub for visitors on Government and The Village, including maps of The Village, in English and as Gaeilge. Signs across The Village and outside each marquee will also help visitors find what they need and who they want to talk to.
  • The approximately 90 Government Exhibitors at 2018 NPC were dispersed over 42 different plots and marquees across the full 700 acre site, requiring visitors to actively seek out Government providers and know exactly who they needed to talk to in advance.
  • Change in delivery is embedding Civil Service Reform and putting the recommendations of Our Public Service 2020 https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/437651-public-service-reform/

Further information

DCCAE Presence, further information

Further information on Brexit Planning

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