Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the detail of his forward planning to allocate resources and capacity within his Department to ensure timely and effective delivery and implementation of the forthcoming EU nature restoration regulation; if provisions made through CAP will assist in accomplishing the goals set out in that regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The release of the official European Commission’s draft legal text for the Nature Restoration Law has been postponed in light of the crisis in Ukraine. I understand, however, that draft versions may be in circulation. As such, it would not be appropriate on my part to provide commentary on the details until formal publication of final text by the Commission.

However, I can confirm that national implementation of the Nature Restoration Law, will require a whole-of-Government approach. With this in mind, we will continue our close working relationships with our colleagues in other Departments and, in particular, with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who are tasked with co-ordinating the approach, to ensure the successful delivery of the Regulation.

Furthermore, the new Green Architecture of the CAP increases its focus on delivering action for climate and biodiversity. This is reflected in Ireland's proposed CAP Strategic Plan which is currently under review by the European Commission.

In particular, enhanced Conditionality, Eco-Schemes and a new approach to Agri-Environment scheme delivery, will provide increasing levels of support to farmers in delivering biodiversity and climate ambitions in the agriculture sector. The CAP Strategic Plan is expected to make a key contribution to accomplishing the anticipated goals of the Nature Restoration Regulation. This will be reflected in the reporting of CAP indicators such as farmland bird populations, enhanced biodiversity protection and ecosystem service provision as well as enhanced carbon sequestration by farmers, all of which are expected to align with the Nature Restoration Law objectives.

In line with the increasing importance being placed on biodiversity, my Department has expanded its capacity in this area over recent years through the recruitment of a number of ecologists and the allocation of additional resources to deal with climate change as well as biodiversity. As we learn more about the proposed Nature Restoration Law, I will seek to ensure adequate resources are in place to allow Ireland respond in line with our obligations.