Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
41. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether a land use strategy is being developed within which aspirations for forestry, the protection of biodiversity, climate, renewables and the bioeconomy could be evolved in a coherent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34169/23]
View answerLand use is a crucial climate mitigation measure available to Ireland, but there are significant challenges to be overcome to maximise the potential contribution from land use. As such, the Programme for Government committed to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The review aims to balance environmental social and economic conditions and involves a process of evaluation of the ecological characteristics of the land, consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration and climate adaption challenges.
The review is being overseen by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), along with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Local Government (DHLGH) and independent nominees.
The land use review is being carried out in two distinct phases. Phase 1 was the Evidential Review, which was completed in March 2023. It provides an evidence base to determine the environmental, ecological, and economic characteristics of land types across Ireland. Phase 1 gathered evidence about stakeholders, existing policy, and environmental, social and economic characteristics of land use to date, providing Government with a holistic understanding of the current land use patterns to shape future polices and measures.
The framework to deliver Phase 2 of the land use review has been agreed by Government. Building on the evidence base from Phase 1, Phase 2 will identify appropriate policies measures and actions in the context of the governments wider economic, social and climate objectives.
