Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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EU discussions on Nature Restoration Law are led by the Council of Environment Ministers at EU level and the Minister for Housing and Local Government at national level.

An agreement on the EU Nature Restoration Law has not yet been reached at EU Council. There are therefore no implications for the agriculture sector at this point.

Should the proposal be adopted, the legal obligation to achieve targets within the proposal is on the Member State, not on individuals. Landowner participation in the delivery of NRL ambition is voluntary. The legislation is explicit on this in relation to rewetting, but participation in relation to wider restoration measures is a national competency. The Government is clear that all restoration measures will be voluntary.

Restoration measures will not negatively impact any existing CAP commitment, or any other scheme or incentive delivered by my Department, as confirmed by Commissioner Sinkevicius. Ireland's negotiations in Council have achieved lower rewetting targets than originally proposed alongside other flexibilities which allow Ireland to determine what rewetting means in practice for Ireland. The Government is confident that the 2030 and 2040 rewetting targets, at a minimum, can be met entirely on State lands.

Should the regulation pass at EU level, the Government is committed to ensuring that nature restoration provides additional income streams for landowners and brings benefits to rural economies. Any restoration measures that landowners choose to participate in will be well incentivised and resourced. Incentives will be designed in partnership with all stakeholders over the next two years, as part of the nature restoration planning process. Farmers' expertise will be called upon to shape this. Delivery of the national restoration plan will be aligned with the €3.15billion Climate and Nature fund to support implementation.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading Ireland's negotiating position on the Nature Restoration Law. My Department will continuing to engage with them as necessary.