James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to publish a landscape Bill to identify policies to protect, conserve and manage our landscape and natural heritage. [44343/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the names of the members of the steering group on conservation and land management; if the steering group is preparing a report and when it will be available; if he intends to present a Landscape Management Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44403/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 297 together.

It is my intention to provide for a legal definition of 'landscape' in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 which is currently at Report Stage in Seanad Éireann. This will be based on the definition set out in the European Landscape Convention, as ratified by Ireland in March 2002.

I will also be bringing proposals in relation to a National Monuments Bill to Government for approval shortly. It is my intention that this Bill will provide for a statutory definition of 'historic landscape', and for a new system for the identification, registration and conservation of historic landscapes. In view of the above proposed legislative changes, I do not envisage a requirement for a separate Landscape Management Bill.

My Department has also established a Steering Group comprised of key stakeholders, to develop and progress the National Landscape Strategy. The aim is to ensure the delivery of a draft National Landscape Strategy for public consultation by June 2010. The current membership of the Steering Group is as follows:

Name: Organisation:

Ms Deirdre Black Irish Landscape Institute

Mr George Burke (Chair) Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Mr Willie Cumming Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Dr Loreto Guinan Meath County Council

Mr Pat Farrington Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Mr Diarmuid Houston Wexford County Council

Mr John Landy Coillte

Mr Paddy Matthews Fáilte Ireland

Ms Gabrielle McKeown Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Ms Finola Moylette Dept of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs

Mr Michael Murphy Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Mr Pat O'Connor Dept of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources

Dr Cathal O'Donoghue Teagasc

Mr Ray O'Leary Dept of Arts, Sports & Tourism

Mr Terry O'Regan Landscape Alliance Ireland

Dr John Olley UCD

Mr David Owen An Taisce

Mr Conor Skehan Dublin Institute of Technology

Mr Michael Starrett The Heritage Council