Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the policy initiatives being taken by his Department to help ensure the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy in the context of land designation. [51557/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 proposes that by 2030 at least 30% of the EU’s land and marine areas, taken collectively across all 27 Member States, would be protected for biodiversity, and that 10% (or one-third of those areas) would have strict protection, meaning that no deliberate disturbance of species, and no deterioration or destruction of habitats would be permitted. Strict protections are likely to include areas such as ancient woodland and significant other carbon-rich ecosystems, such as peatlands, grasslands, wetlands and seagrass meadows. 

Specific criteria for identification of additional protected areas, the parameters of strict protection, and the question of burden-sharing across the EU27 in reaching the 30% target are still under discussion, however all Member States have been asked to nominate a list of existing protected areas (in addition to Natura 2000 sites) for selection, and to make an initial pledge for new areas to be protected as a contribution to reaching the 30% target across the EU as a whole.  These initial pledges will be discussed in a framework of biogeographical meetings with national authorities, relevant stakeholders and experts, which the Commission intends will take place over the next two years.  Ireland will be discussed with other Member States in the Atlantic biogeographical region.

In the meantime, my Department is exploring a range of initiatives including the potential to designate areas of land within public and semi-state ownership, to meet the commitments of the Biodiversity Strategy. A National Fen Survey will seek to identify a suite of fens suitable for protection, and areas of native woodland are also being surveyed to determine their suitability for protection.