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 being implemented in two phases. The key action in Phase one, as set out in the Implementation Programme, is 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, following completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, is the preparation of statutory guidelines on local Landscape Character Assessments for Planning Authorities. The preparation and issuing of these statutory guidelines will be a joint action of my Department and that of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

There is no requirement in the National Landscape Strategy for local authorities to hire landscape architects.  Its staffing requirement is a matter for each local authority in accordance with its own requirements and resources.