Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on the land use review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67452/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Phase 2 of the national land use review was recommitted to in the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. This earlier phase was led by the EPA.

The Final Report for Phase 2, which is entitled A Living Land, has been received by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon; the Minister of State at Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O'Sullivan; and myself to consider. I have also been briefed on the Review by Geraldine Tallon, the independent Chair of the Oversight Group.

Phase 2 has sought to compile an evidence base to inform and support landholders and policymakers in their future decisions for land-use in the context of achieving Ireland’s agricultural, socioeconomic, climate and environmental objectives.

A Living Land is not an articulation of government policy or strategy in relation to land use, given that there are many economic, environmental, and social considerations to be balanced in considering land use. Rather, this report will help to inform and support future considerations in this complex area. The report also highlights the important role that Government can play in, for example, leadership in leveraging the role of State-owned lands to achieve integrated land use objectives.

I am working with my Ministerial colleagues with a view to publishing the Report shortly.