Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 4

Written Answers. - Landscape Convention.

Dan Boyle

Question:

140 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures his Department has, or intends to take, to incorporate the European Landscape Convention into Government policy or future legislation. [13029/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Ireland signed and ratified the Council of Europe's European Landscape Convention on 22 March 2002. The purpose of the convention is to encourage public authorities to adopt policies and measures at local, regional, national and international level. These policies aim to protect, manage and plan landscapes throughout Europe to maintain and improve landscape quality, to bring the public, institutions and local and regional authorities to recognise the value and importance of landscape and to take part in related public decisions.

In June 2000 my Department issued draft guidelines for planning authorities on landscape and landscape assessment for public consultation. The final guidelines will take account of the European Landscape Convention and I intend to issue them as soon as possible. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála will be required, in the performance of their duties, to have regard to these guidelines.