Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) has been the subject of significant effort over the last two years, with the support, advice and input of the interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group and independent Biodiversity Forum. Stakeholder engagement has been central to the iterative development of the Plan. Over 300 submissions were received from members of the public and interested organisations during the public consultation phase of the development of the Plan.

The 4^thNBAP strives for a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that every citizen, community, business, local authority, semi-state and state agency has an awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and of the implications of its loss, while also understanding how they can act to address the biodiversity emergency as part of a renewed national effort to “act for nature”.

The Plan was approved by Government in October 2023. The announcement in Budget 2024 of a new Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund is a significant development relevant to the implementation of the NBAP, along with new legislation to put the NBAP on a statutory footing under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023. In this context, following the statutory notification period to public bodies under that Act, the 4^thNational Biodiversity Action Plan will be published and launched early in 2024.