Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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453. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33598/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Arising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention I launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025 in May 2015. Copies are available on my Department’s website.The Strategy is to be implemented in two phases. The key action in Phase one, as set out in the Implementation Programme, will be the preparation of a National Landscape Character Assessment (NLCA). My Department is currently preparing tender documentation for the NLCA. The NLCA will be an important tool to provide data and objective information required to evaluate the current state of the landscape and to underpin effective spatial planning and landscape-centred decision making.

I would note that the primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to landscape issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). One of the objectives of the National Landscape Strategy will be to assist in the achievement of greater consistency in decision making when dealing with issues of landscape via the landscape character assessment process, within City and County Development Plans, at local government level.

The second phase of the strategy under Action 3 is: “Following completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, statutory guidelines on local Landscape Character Assessments, following best international practice, and incorporating Historic Landscape Characterisation, and other appropriate assessment methodologies, will be prepared for Planning Authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).” The preparation and issuing of these statutory guidelines will be a joint action of my Department and that of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

In relation to the specific Landscape Character Assessment referred to by the Deputy, and its planning zoning, this is a matter for the relevant Local Authority and I have no function in that regard.