2.2.1 International and European Policy

EU Habitats Directive/EU Birds Directive

These Directives give protection to species of flora and fauna, habitat types and species of birds. Designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) by EU member states is central to the objective of both Directives. Both South Dublin Bay and North Dublin Bay (including Bull Island) are designated SACs.

The European Landscape Convention (Florence Convention)

This convention promotes the protection, management and planning of European landscapes and organises European cooperation on landscape issues. The convention was adopted in 2000 and came into force on 1 March 2004. Ireland is a signatory to this convention. The general purpose of the Convention is to encourage public authorities to adopt policies and measures at local, regional, national and international level for protecting, managing and planning landscapes (natural, rural, urban and peri-urban) throughout Europe so as to maintain and improve landscape quality. This in turn aids the public, institutions and local and regional authorities to recognise the value and importance of landscape and to take part in related public decisions. In response to Ireland’s commitment to this convention a National Landscape Strategy was published by the Irish Government in 2015. This Strategy is, in part, Dublin City Council’s fulfilment of the obligations of this Convention.

ICOMOS (The Florence Charter 1981)

ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is an advisory organisation to UNESCO. The Florence Charter sets forth the principles and guidelines for the preservation of historic gardens and has relevance to historic parks in the city. The Charter defines historic gardens as architectural compositions and recommends their preservation as living monuments. It outlines strategies for maintenance, conservation, restoration and reconstruction of gardens, including their plans, vegetation, structural and decorative features and use of water. It recommends limiting use in order to protect the gardens’ fabric and cultural message. It also addresses legal and administrative issues.