Written answers

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Departmental Reviews

Photo of Brian LeddinBrian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

34. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the involvement of his Department in the land use review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51487/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future (2020) commits to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant government decisions.  The review will balance environmental social and economic conditions and will involve an evaluation of the ecological characteristics of the land. It will include consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration and climate adaption challenges.

The review is being overseen by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).  The steering committee is in place with representatives from DAFM, DECC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and independent nominees. 

The review is being carried out in two phases.  Phase 1 of the Land Use Review is an evidential review being chaired by the EPA with technical advisors from National Parks and Wildlife services (NPWS), Teagasc, DAFM, DECC, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI), DHLGH, Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and the Heritage Council. Work is already underway with agreed work packages and timelines in place. Phase 1 will form the principal evidence gathering phase of the Review to determine the environmental, ecological and economic characteristics of land types across Ireland.

The second phase shall build upon the results of the evidential review and consider policies and measures in the context of the Government’s wider economic, social and climate objectives.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.