New bill to manage national parks for nature

New legislation will put Ireland’s national parks on a statutory footing for the first time and establish nature conservation and restoration as their primary management purpose, according to Minister of State for nature Christopher O’Sullivan.

Ireland’s national parks represent some of the State’s most important natural assets – protecting landscapes, habitats, species and ecosystems of exceptional national and international significance.

“Until now, national parks have been established and managed through a range of legislative and administrative arrangements,” the Department of Housing said.

“However, there is no comprehensive statutory framework dedicated specifically to their designation, governance and management.

"The development of a dedicated legislative framework will align Ireland with international best practice and enable the State to provide a coherent and enduring basis for their protection, restoration and management,” it added.

Minister O’Sullivan said that the forthcoming national parks bill will constitute one of the most significant developments in nature conservation legislation in the history of the State.

Management framework

“We know that we need to lead nature restoration on public land and our national parks are central to achieving this.

“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,” he said.

The legislation will also set out a transparent process for the designation of new national parks and the expansion of existing national parks. It will also facilitate public access, recreation, education and research, where consistent with the conservation objectives of national parks.

“As we prepare Ireland’s nature restoration plan and endeavour to implement the recommendations of the independent advisory committee on nature restoration, it’s vital that we make our commitment to leading on public land abundantly clear,” the minister said.

“This legislation will do that and ensure that Ireland’s national parks will be managed for nature in perpetuity. I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders as the general scheme takes shape.”

Director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Niall Ó Donnchú said that it is essential that Ireland’s national parks are supported by legislation that is fit for contemporary purpose; legislation that clarifies operations and management across the national park system.

“It must also strengthen our authority and enforcement powers, as we in [the] NPWS work tirelessly to protect these extraordinary natural gems.”

Over the coming months, a general scheme will be developed in consultation with relevant Government departments, State bodies, local authorities, environmental stakeholders, landowners, community interests and other interested parties.