National Landscape Strategy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Ceisteanna (104)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

104. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he intends to commence the making of a national landscape plan which would identify, in the interest of environmental protection, constraints to be considered in the context of major development proposals, such as those relating to grid pylons and wind farms, in a uniform manner in view of the inconsistencies that can occur between individual county development plans in terms of landscape designation and protection. [48605/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Following on from work in this area by an interdepartmental Steering Group chaired by my Department, and taking into account submissions arising from the public consultation in respect of the National Landscape Strategy Issues Paper, I expect to bring proposals to Government in early 2014 with a view to finalising the National Landscape Strategy for publication in 2014. The primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to such issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2012. However, one of the objectives of the National Landscape Strategy will be to assist in the achievement of greater consistency in decision making across the country when dealing with issues of landscape.