National Parks and Wildlife Service

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Questions (729)

Brendan Smith

Question:

729. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the review of the memorandum of understanding between the NARCG and NPWS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40052/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department routinely, as good practice, conducts reviews of all Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including the one in place with NARGC.

This MOU remains active, as does the review, and, save for the so termed Nature in the Wider Countryside Forum (which, as stated previously, will not be proceeding in light of the number of pre-existing fora covering the self-same terraine, challenges on stretched NPWS resources, optimal use of taxpayer funded time and the potential for duplication), items set out within same are being progressed.