Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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729. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of implementing landscape based primary legislation as committed to under Article 5(a) of the European Landscape Convention; if further legislation is planned to comply with this article; if a landscape Ireland Bill is planned as called for by the Heritage Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50201/18]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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730. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the delivery of the high level objectives committed to in A National Landscape Strategy for Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50202/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 730 together.

Arising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention in 2002, and its coming into force in 2004, the then Minister launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025, on the 26 May 2015. Progress to date on the objectives in that strategy include the recognition of landscape in law in an amendment to the Planning and Development Acts. The Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended) therefore now specify that development plans shall contain objectives for the encouragement of the management of features of the landscape, such as traditional field boundaries, important for the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network and essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species.

Further to the objective in the National Landscape Strategy to increase public awareness, the Heritage Council now provides a range of supports to organisations engaged in landscape partnerships and community projects such as the Wicklow Mountains Uplands Council, Burrenbeo and the Irish Uplands Forum. The Council has also recently engaged an uplands co-ordinator to provide support to community-based heritage projects nationally across a range of areas as well as promoting the significance of High Nature Value Farming through results based schemes.

In relation to legislation I would like to note that my Department's forthcoming Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill contains provisions which will give me express powers to assist and promote research and public awareness in a number of fields, including in relation to landscapes.

I am delighted to say that I recently launched the public consultation phase of a new Heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030. Heritage Ireland 2030 is the Government’s commitment to a revitalised and refreshed National Heritage plan. It will provide a coherent national heritage policy, recognising its importance to local communities and global visitors alike. Community engagement will lie at the heart of Heritage Ireland 2030, reflecting the values, visions and concerns of our citizens, communities, farmers tourists and businesses. The on-going priority and associated resourcing of the National Landscape Strategy will be further determined in the context of that plan. The consultation is open until 28 February 2019 and I hope and expect that all of those with an interest in caring for and managing our heritage will make a submission. Details of how to have your say are available on my Department's website.

In the meantime, 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 Acts 2000 (as amended).