This plans sets out how Ireland will reverse biodiversity's decline in the lead up to 2030.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said:
"Nature is in trouble, but I believe that it can recover. In my time as Minister, I have visited projects and initiatives the length and breadth of the country; walked fields, hillsides, bogs, rivers, urban parks, community gardens, coastlines and hedgerows. I have met the most extraordinary people bringing passion, expertise and dedication to bear on the protection and restoration of habitats and wildlife. What they need more than anything is to be empowered to keep going, and do more.
"I was determined that this National Biodiversity Action Plan would be an 'impact plan' and, combined with the people power I’ve encountered on my travels, the new statutory footing for the NBAP and the €3.15bn Climate and Nature Fund, I believe that it will be. That sense of the possible is what I want people to take from this. We have the passion, we have the knowledge, we have the resources, and now, we have the plan. We can and will turn the tide on nature loss and make change happen – in the skies, under the water, and on the ground, where it matters."
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The NBAP aims to meet urgent conservation and restoration objectives across Ireland's terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems and secure nature's contributions to people, while enhancing the evidence base for action and strengthening Ireland’s efforts on international initiatives.
The 194 actions within the NBAP include commitments to:
• expand and enhance our network of National Parks,
• further strengthen action on wildlife crime,
• deliver on obligations to conserve our most precious habitats and species,
• strategically target efforts on invasive species,
• develop a national Nature Restoration Plan,
• increase collaboration on nature-friendly farming,
• review nature governance across the State, and
• explore the ways in which the rights of nature can be formally recognised.
As Ireland's fourth NBAP it is the first to be published on a Statutory basis, under the Wildlife Amendment Act 2023. In line with the legislation selected public service bodies will need to integrate biodiversity into their plans, policies and programmes, and report to the Minister on progress.
The NBAP has been led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS ) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and collaborates with key stakeholders across government and wider society.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with the National Parks and Wildlife Service said:
"In drawing up this together, we listened carefully to a wide range of views and perspectives from government departments, public sector bodies, civil society, and the general public. This was essential to gaining a shared understanding of the extent of biodiversity loss, and to developing a national response to addressing it. Following a phase of renewal, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is ready to lead on the ambition of the Plan. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, and to be accountable and transparent in doing so. This is our shared plan, and its success depends on all of us taking action for nature. If we give nature a chance it will give us a second chance. Let’s not waste that!"
Dr Deirdre Lynn, Assistant Director, Science Advice and Research, National Parks and Wildlife Service said: "This Plan will provide us with the focus we need to step up action to conserve and restore biodiversity and contribute to our national, regional and global targets. Millions of years of evolution are at stake."
