Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, has today (Thursday, October 10) launched a new public consultation on the future of Ireland’s national parks.
‘Your Parks, Your Say’ is the first phase of a national conversation to inform the definition, purpose and management of Ireland’s national parks.
Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to have their say across a range of topics including biodiversity conservation, education, visitor management and legislation.
Definitions of what a national park is will also be sought. The minister also launched a new framework for management planning in Ireland’s national parks.
Speaking at the launch in Wicklow Mountains National Park, Minister Noonan said: “Under this government, we have transformed the National Parks and Wildlife Service, increased its funding by 170% and created new national parks for the first time in over 25 years.
“Now is the right moment to reflect on this progress and have a meaningful national conversation on what national parks are and how they should be managed.
“There is currently no legislative underpinning for national parks in Irish law and no definition of what a national park is or what it’s for. This is something I’d like to see addressed on foot of this consultation.
“We are fortunate to have a network of parks with tremendous community buy-in and support,” he added.
The minister explained that Ireland’s parks are uniquely Irish, providing protection to a range of flora and fauna across multiple habitats in landscapes that people have lived in for thousands of years.
“They also provide a range of environmental, social, economic and health benefits to local communities, and are enjoyed by millions of visitors,” he continued.
“But their future development – both in terms of ecological restoration and visitor and educational facilities – needs deep and broad consideration.”
Consultation on parks
The first phase of the consultation is an online questionnaire with a number of questions across seven topic areas.
It will run until the end of the year, closing on December 31, 2024. The questionnaire is available in both Irish and English on the government website.
The minister also announced that he has commenced the development of a framework for management planning across all eight national parks and Coole Park Nature Reserve.
This framework will include detailed information on each park, including an inventory of natural and cultural resources, the challenges and opportunities that each park faces, and how these are being addressed.
Once the framework is developed, individual management plans will be finalised. Further public engagement will then happen as each plan is developed.
The minister said: “For the first time in a long time thanks to increased resources under this government, we are in a position to bring people closer to the inner workings of our national parks.
“I am determined to improve the ways in which information from and about our national parks is made available to the public, and to share greater insights into their current condition and on the decision-making behind their management.
“By providing for deeper understanding and creating new opportunities for engagement, I hope to dispel some of the negativity we see on social media. Our national parks are amazing places, staffed by incredibly dedicated and expert people who go above and beyond to protect nature and provide access to all,” the minister stated.