Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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314. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government Ireland's progress under the Nature Restoration Law. [23391/26]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Nature Restoration Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1991) (NRR) came into force in August 2024. It sets out a framework for EU Member States to restore nature, with binding targets for a wide range of habitats and species. To fulfil the requirements of the Regulation, Ireland must develop a draft National Restoration Plan (NRP) by 1 September 2026.

The development of the NRP is a complex all-of-Government task, which is being co-ordinated by NPWS. Transparent, collaborative and inclusive engagement with stakeholders will be key to the success of the Plan.

An Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) on Nature Restoration was formed to make recommendations on the content of the NRP to the Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, ensuring that a broad base of voices and concerns are reflected in the final plan. The IAC submitted its recommendations to the Minister on 18 March, and these are under consideration.

In addition, three interdepartmental technical working groups were established to define the technical and scientific baselines and targets to be achieved to satisfy the requirements of the regulation. This work will inform an EU template for submission in draft format to the EU Commission on 1 September of this year.

Both the template and the IAC recommendations will inform Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan. The Plan is being drafted on an all-of-Government basis and will require Government approval before a first draft is submitted to the European Commission in September. Following feedback from the Commission and the outcomes of public consultation, the Plan will be finalised in 2027. Meanwhile the Independent recommendations will be published in the coming weeks.