Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding land designations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, launched by the European Commission in May 2020, proposes that by 2030, member states would legally protect at least 30% of the EU’s land and marine areas, and that 10% (or one-third of the protected areas) would be strictly protected. This is an overall EU target and discussions around how this will be achieved are ongoing. Fair and transparent burden-sharing among member states is a crucial consideration in discussions around implementation of the Strategy at national level.
An increased percentage of designated land at EU level and nationally is a core ambition of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Member States will be expected to demonstrate significant progress in designating new protected areas and integrating ecological corridors by the end 2023. On this basis the Commission will assess in 2024 whether new EU legislation or other further actions should be proposed.
The implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy will require significant buy-in from a variety of sectors and by landowners. Consideration will have to be given to the resources and funding needed to implement the Strategy, with regard to the implications for farming, forestry, fisheries and the commercial activities.
Throughout this process, I am committed to stakeholder engagement and my Department has already engaged with farming representative bodies and other Departments and will continue to do so as implementation of the Strategy continues in the coming years.
