National Parks

The content of any new national parks legislation has yet to be decided. 

The Minister intends to bring to the Executive Committee shortly an Emerging Findings paper which would contain preliminary proposals for new national park primary legislation. These proposals relate to the purpose and aims of national parks, their governance and funding arrangements, the criteria for identifying potential candidates, and a clear and rational process by which future Ministers would decide which areas to designate.

If the Executive agrees to proceeding, the contents of the Emerging Findings paper would be shared with stakeholders before the Department goes on to firm up on its proposals and carry out a public consultation. In light of the outcome of the public consultation, legislation would then be drafted.

At this stage the Minister has no plans for any particular area to be a candidate for a national park. That decision will be for a future Executive to make, under the terms of the legislation once it is agreed and comes into effect.