Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2024
58. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in establishing the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) stakeholder forum, which was included in the strategic action plan for the NPWS and was due to be established in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38195/24]
View answer59. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps taken to ensure that the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum will be established on a permanent footing with regular meetings starting in quarter four of 2024 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38196/24]
View answer60. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide a concrete timeline for the establishment of the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum, including the dates for the first meeting and the frequency of subsequent meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38197/24]
View answer61. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum will ensure the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, including environmental, conservation, rural pursuits, and farming interests, to ensure a fully inclusive approach to future policymaking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 59, 60 and 61 together.
I have committed to establishing a Stakeholder Forum which will meet in the coming months and which will include stakeholders with an interest in the policy areas under the remit of the NPWS. The Forum will adhere to the consultation principles set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Consultation Principles and Guidelines (2016) which aim to ensure that consultation is genuine, meaningful, timely, balanced and with the objective of leading to better outcomes. It is envisaged that the forum will meet twice yearly.
