Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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324. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide an update on the establishment of a youth biodiversity forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40978/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the declaration by the Dáil of a Biodiversity Emergency in 2019 and in recognition of the vital role that biodiversity plays in the continued health of our society, economy, species and planet, the Programme for Government included a commitment to hold a Citizen's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The Assembly presented its’ report in April 2023 and agreed 159 recommendations, including the recommendation that the state take into account the recommendations from the Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, and continue to engage with young people on the environment.

The recommendations of the Citizen's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss are currently being deliberated by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. The Committee will, in turn, bring its conclusions to the Houses for debate. The Government will provide in the Houses of the Oireachtas a response to each recommendation of the Assembly and, if accepting some or all of the recommendations, will indicate the timeframe it envisages for implementing those recommendations.

Without prejudging the whole-of-government response and recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, and in alignment with Target 22 of the Global Biodiversity Framework to ensure inclusive representation and participation in decision making, the draft 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan proposes an action for the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department to support the establishment of a Youth Biodiversity Forum through an appropriate channel. We all have a role to play in the protection and restoration of nature and a collective response is needed to reverse the decline in biodiversity.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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325. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his role in co-ordinating the states response to the biodiversity emergency. [40979/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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326. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his role in co-ordinating the states response to the biodiversity emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40980/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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327. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government which Minister and Department is responsible for co-ordinating the response to the national biodiversity emergency. [40981/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326 and 327 together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of a range of legislation and policy relating to biodiversity and nature in Ireland and is the National Focal Point for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), an overarching international agreement underpinning the Global Biodiversity Framework. In this context, the NPWS is the lead authority for the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). Working with the support of the interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group and the independent experts of the Biodiversity Forum, the NPWS draft, consult with stakeholders on and monitor the implementation of the Plan.

The NPWS also have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-government response to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The recommendations of the Assembly are currently being deliberated by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. The Committee will, in turn, bring its conclusions to the Houses for debate. The Government will provide in the Houses of the Oireachtas a response to each recommendation of the Assembly and, if accepting some or all of the recommendations, will indicate the timeframe it envisages for implementing those recommendations.

The renewal of the NPWS is a commitment in the Programme for Government and is a key action underpinning the Government’s response to the biodiversity emergency. The Strategic Action Plan for the renewal of the NPWS, published in May 2022, includes a suite of actions designed to transform the NPWS and equip it to embrace our ambitions for nature and to deliver on its mandate to protect nature. The Strategic Action Plan supports and empowers the NPWS to play its part in our collective response to the biodiversity emergency, both at home and on the international stage.