COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor Peter Kavanagh

"To ask the Chief Executive, if in conjunction with carrying out the necessary ecological and biodiversity studies on the Rathcoole Woodlands in preparation for the Masterplan, has he considered doing parallel and comparative studies on similar Woodlands in the County to gain a clearer and contextual picture of the ecosystems service, biodiversity, climate change and human health and well being value of Rathcoole Woodlands?"

REPLY:

Studies on woodlands to understand the value of our native woodlands in relation to ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change and human health and wellbeing have been researched and documented at International and National level. Government Departments, agencies and NGO’s such as The Environmental Protection Agency, Coillte, Woodlands of Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife and Mental Health Ireland have all produced informative reports on the various benefits of woodlands. In addition, the Irish forum on Natural Capital, aimed at evaluating, protecting and restoring Ireland’s Natural Capital and eco systems is a key driver in promoting the adoption of natural capital concepts in public policy and assisting in the establishment of a national natural capital accounting standard. 

South Dublin County Council is committed to all international and national regulations in relation to biodiversity, climate change mitigation, environmental protection and health and wellbeing. A draft climate change strategy for South Dublin County Council has recently been published for public consultation. In addition, Biodiversity and Heritage plans for the County have gone through pre-draft public consultation.