Bill to set up first framework for national parks
The Government has announced plans to draft a bill that will put the State’s eight national parks on a statutory footing for the first time.
The National Parks Bill will be developed by Christoper O’Sullivan (Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity) after the proposal was brought to Cabinet earlier this week by Minister for Housing James Browne.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said that the bill would establish nature conservation and restoration as the primary management purpose of national parks.
Public access
Up to now, national parks have been established and managed through a range of legislative and administrative arrangements.
The department says, however, that there is no comprehensive statutory framework dedicated specifically to their designation, governance, and management.
The legislation is aimed at setting out a transparent process for the designation of new parks and the expansion of existing parks.
It will also facilitate public access, recreation, education, and research, where consistent with the conservation objectives of national parks.
The department says that a general scheme for the bill will be developed over the coming months, in consultation with Government departments, State bodies, local authorities, environmental stakeholders, landowners, community interests, and other interested parties.
Challenges
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the management and presentation of the eight national parks, which include The Burren, Co Clare, and Glenveagh, Co Donegal.
Minister O’Sullivan described the bill as “one of the most significant developments in nature conservation legislation in the history of the State”.
He added that it would provide a governance and management framework that was capable of responding to challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and increasing recreational pressures.