COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 14, 2012

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager if she will provide a report on the Council's plan to set up a Biodiversity Forum?

REPLY:

Work will soon commence on the production of the first South Dublin County Biodiversity Action Plan.  To initiate the process, a County Biodiversity Forum will be established which will engage with and assist the Heritage Officer in the preparation and implementation of the Plan.  Forum members will be sought from a range of sources including elected members, Council staff, local biodiversity interest groups and environmental organisations, tourism, and relevant government departments and agencies (National Parks and Wildlife Service, Waterways Ireland, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Coillte).  It is expected that the Forum will number no more than 10 members.  

A public consultation process will be undertaken which will commence in early summer and will extend until September.  Consultation will include evening public meetings while written submissions on biodiversity issues will also be invited.  The County Biodiversity Forum will assist in collating submissions and agreeing final actions.  A first draft of the County Biodiversity Action Plan is expected by the end of 2012.