Environmental Policy
Seanad Éireann — 2026-09-29
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Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City

I thank Senator Rabbitte for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan.
Ireland's National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030 provides the overarching framework for the protection and restoration of biodiversity. The national biodiversity action plan, NBAP, sets out Ireland's whole-of-government approach to halting and reversing biodiversity loss and fulfilling our national, European and international commitments on nature conservation. The plan includes a comprehensive suite of actions aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing habitats and species across the country, including native woodland habitats and the biodiversity they support. Its implementation involves Departments, State agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders working together to improve biodiversity outcomes and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems.
Ireland is also progressing with the implementation of the EU nature restoration regulation, which establishes legally binding nature restoration targets across a range of ecosystems. A draft national nature restoration plan has recently been submitted to the European Commission. The nature restoration plan, developed on a whole-of-government basis under the co-ordination of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, sets out the measures through which Ireland intends to meet its restoration obligations and improve the condition and resilience of ecosystems. The draft nature restoration plan sets out proposed measures for the restoration of a range of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, including forests and woodlands. These measures are intended to contribute to the recovery of nature, improve ecosystem resilience, support climate adaptation and enhance the ecosystem services upon which society and the economy depend.
Ireland has an extensive network of protected areas designated under national and European legislation. Our network of terrestrial special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs, has been assessed as sufficient to fulfil Ireland's obligations under the EU habitats and birds directives and to contribute to the European Natura 2000 network. In addition to sites protected under EU legislation, Ireland has a range of national nature conservation designations under the Wildlife Acts, including natural heritage areas, NHAs. The designation of NHAs is guided by scientific assessment and established selection criteria, and these national designations complement Ireland's wider network of protected areas and broader biodiversity conservation measures.
The focus of nature conservation policy is therefore on maintaining and improving the condition of protected habitats and species and supporting wider biodiversity conservation and restoration measures across the landscape.
With specific regard to Merlin Woods, which the Senator referenced earlier and in the title of her Commencement matter, the site is owned and managed by Galway City Council, as the Senator said. The council, therefore, has a key role in the stewardship and day-to-day management of the woodland, including the protection and enhancement of its biodiversity, natural heritage and amenity value. The local biodiversity action fund, LBAF, operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of housing, provides support to local authorities in delivering projects that contribute to the objectives of the national biodiversity action plan. Through the LBAF, funding is provided to local authorities across the country, including Galway City Council, to develop and implement projects that protect, enhance and restore biodiversity at a local level.
I will bring the specific points the Senator raised to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-09-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:00:59+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-29