Environmental Policy

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Questions (325, 326, 327)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

325. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his role in co-ordinating the states response to the biodiversity emergency. [40979/23]

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326. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his role in co-ordinating the states response to the biodiversity emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40980/23]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which Minister and Department is responsible for co-ordinating the response to the national biodiversity emergency. [40981/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

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.