Written answers
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Environmental Policy
12:00 pm
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
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