31-07-2025
Public encouraged to engage with development of Nature Restoration Plan
The public is being encouraged to engage with the development of Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan.
The plan will set out national restoration needs and measures under the Nature Restoration Law and is due to be submitted to the EU Commission by September 1, 2026.
Following the adoption of the law in Europe in August 2024, all member states must produce their own plan to show how they will achieve the targets set out in the regulation.
Minister of State with responsibility for biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said it is "vital that people get a chance to participate in the conversation on nature restoration in Ireland".
"Events will be taking place across the country over the coming months and I'm appealing to all communities and stakeholders to get involved, learn more about what restoring nature means for them and have their say on how they want it to be done," Minister O'Sullivan said.
A new website, has been launched by the minister, aiming to act as a portal for public engagement with the development of the plan.
It will provide updates on the work of the Independent Advisory Committee, established and tasked with making recommendations to the minister on what should be included in the national plan.
It will also publish information on public-facing 'community conversation' events.
Nature Restoration Plan
"Implementing the Nature Restoration Law is a huge opportunity for Ireland – including for people who earn a living from the land and the sea," Minister O'Sullivan added.
"I'm looking forward to hearing the ideas and innovations that come out of the community conversations and stakeholder forums."
The Nature Restoration Regulation is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind, and sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems.
The regulation combines an overarching restoration objective for the long-term recovery of nature in the EU's land and sea areas with binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species.
These measures should cover at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030, and ultimately all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been appointed by the government to coordinate the development of Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan.
