Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In a similar vein, amendment No. 243 tabled by Deputies Ó Broin, Gould and Ó Snodaigh seeks to include a reference to historic landscapes in section 27(1)(m). The subsection as drafted provides that an RSES shall make provision for a strategy relating to landscape and landscape character that co-ordinates the categorisation of landscapes in terms of their capacity to absorb particular types of development across the region to ensure a consistent approach to the protection of the landscape.

This amendment proposes to include a reference to "historic landscapes" here. I do not consider that including a reference to "historic landscapes" is necessary or appropriate. The subsection as drafted already refers to landscapes and landscape character and I do not consider a reference to "historic landscape" is needed. Even though I am not accepting the amendment, I point out that it would be very difficult to find what is meant by historic landscape in terms of what it is and what historic period it covers.

I know this was discussed widely during the debate on the 2023 Act, but for the purposes of this Bill I will not be accepting the amendment.