Govt announces plans to draft National Parks legislation

The government has announced its intention to draft new National Parks legislation that will establish nature conservation and restoration as the service's primary management purpose.

The plan has been revealed by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, who said the legislation would constitute "one of the most significant developments in nature conservation legislation in the history of the State".

"We know that we need to lead nature restoration on public land, and our National Parks are central to achieving this," said Minister O’Sullivan.

"I want Ireland’s first National Parks Bill to make the primary purpose of these amazing places crystal clear: to protect and restore nature.

"The legislation will also provide for a governance and management framework that is capable of responding to contemporary environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change and increasing recreational pressures.

"This includes management planning, conferring powers to make byelaws that will regulate certain activities within National Parks, and enabling the prohibition or restriction of certain other activities, where necessary, alongside appropriate enforcement powers and sanctions," Minister O'Sullivan added.

The National Parks service is managed through various legislative and administrative arrangements. There is no comprehensive statutory framework dedicated to its designation, governance and management.

According to government, the development of a dedicated legislative framework would align Ireland with international best practice and enable the State to provide "a coherent and enduring basis" for the "protection, restoration and management" of our natural assets.

Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Niall Ó Donnchú has welcomed the decision.

"As we look to the future, it is essential that our National Parks are supported by legislation that is fit for contemporary purpose: legislation that clarifies operations and management across the National Park system," Mr Ó Donnchú said.

"It must also strengthen our authority and enforcement powers as we in NPWS work tirelessly to protect these extraordinary natural gems.

The proposal to develop the Bill was brought to Cabinet earlier this week by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD.

Moving forward, there is a plan to develop a "general scheme" for the legislation in consultation with relevant government departments, state bodies, local authorities, environmental stakeholders, landowners, community interests and other interested parties.