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Chapter 7
Land and Soil
The rate and nature of land use changes indicate where future
environmental pressures are likely to arise. By European standards,
Ireland has experienced a relatively high rate of land use change
since the early 1990s. Generally, Ireland’s soils are considered to
be in good condition, with the exception of peat areas, which
are particularly vulnerable to external pressures. However, the
information available on land and soil is currently not sufficient.
It is vital to improve our evidence base, which is required in order
to accurately assess and protect these vital resources, and to
provide information and guidance to policy and decision makers.
The sustainable management of both land use and soils requires an
integrated approach; a national landscape strategy and a national
soil protection strategy for Ireland need to be prepared and fully
implemented. While Ireland has fewer contaminated land problems
than most other industrialised countries, an overall policy framework
for the identification, management and remediation of contaminated
land in Ireland is needed.