Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact that inserting the rights of nature into the Constitution would have on agriculture; whether he supports the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity’s proposal to hold a referendum on the rights of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55790/23]
View answerAll Government departments, including my own Department, are examining the Recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss to consider the next steps and most appropriate actions to address this important issue.
This particular recommendation requires collaborative assessment across Government to identify the impact of actioning it and how such a proposal could be incorporated into our Constitution.
The Irish Constitution is the fundamental law of the State and declares the fundamental rights of every Irish citizen. Any changes to the Constitution requires careful and thoughtful consideration across all of Government.
The forthcoming 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan contains a commitment for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to explore the ways in which the rights of nature could be formally recognised, including the potential for constitutional change.
I am committed to working with my colleagues in NPWS, and across Government, to delivering on this action.
