Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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When the land use review was set up there were two phases to it. The idea is that the review would cover farmland, forests and peatlands, find optimal use options and inform Government decisions. The review will balance environmental, social and economic considerations and involve a process of evaluation of the ecological characteristics of the land. It will include considerations of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration and climate adaptation challenges.

There are two phases. The first is the evidence-gathering phase. That started in the second quarter of 2021 and is now complete. That phase was chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with the EPA having a role in setting out the evidence base. A memorandum for the Government on that phase went to the Cabinet on 7 February seeking approval to publish. The next phase of the land use review, phase 2, will build on the evidence from phase 1. Phase 2 will consider policies, measures and actions in the context of the Government's wider economic, social and climate objectives. Proposals for this phase will shortly be submitted to the Government for approval.