Departmental Reviews

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Ceisteanna (403)

Paul Lawless

Ceist:

403. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether reviews were undertaken at the end of phase one and phase two of the National Landscape Strategy 2015–2025; if so, to provide an update on Ireland’s ongoing obligations under the European Landscape Convention (ELC) and how these are being fulfilled following the conclusion of the National Landscape Strategy 2015–2025; his plans to prepare an updated National Landscape Strategy and implementation programme, including consultation with communities, stakeholders, local authorities, and committees who contributed to the 2015 document; to provide an update on the completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment and how it is being integrated into broader policies and frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13722/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

No reviews have been undertaken of the National Landscape Strategy to date, and I have no plans at present to prepare an updated strategy. Implementation of the National Landscape Strategy is implicit in many of the actions taken across the built and natural heritage sphere. The range of current work being undertaken across Government in the context of the Land Use Review will supplant and overtake the existing strategy in this area.

My Department has in the meantime made very substantial progress on issues of habitat and wildlife protection, which are tied closely to landscape. In particular, I would emphasise the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan, which sets the national biodiversity agenda for the period 2023-2030 and aims to deliver the transformative changes required to the ways in which we value and protect nature. As indicated in the progress report published on 13 February this year by my Department, almost 80% of the Plan’s strategic actions are either on track or already complete, highlighting an important shift in how state bodies approach nature conservation.

This, along the Nature Restoration Law ratified by the European Parliament, will continue to support the delivery of national nature, water, landscape and climate objectives, while at the same time realising co-benefits for value creation in rural economies and communities.

With regard to the completion of a National Landscape Character Assessment, which would complement the Local Character Assessments already prepared by Local Authorities, this continues to be an identified National Policy Objective set out in the revised National Planning Framework (NPF).