Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
542. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will introduce a biodiversity Act to legally underpin the forthcoming biodiversity action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public consultation for the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) launched on September 1s. The 4th NBAP will set the national biodiversity agenda for the period 2023-2027 and aims to improve the governance of biodiversity in Ireland so that we can better respond to the biodiversity emergency. The Plan also addresses the connections between biodiversity and climate change, and the need to enhance the evidence base for biodiversity conservation policy and practice.
The draft Plan has been developed against a backdrop of unprecedented challenges for nature in Ireland and globally. It is informed by an extensive review of national, European, and international policies, strategies, legislation and science. A first draft of the Plan was circulated to an initial group of stakeholders, including the Biodiversity Forum, the Biodiversity Working Group, Government Departments and organisations that are likely to be involved in implementing the Plan. Further development of the draft Plan involved stakeholder engagement in the form of exploratory discussions, surveys, detailed workshops and valuable discussions held at the 2nd National Biodiversity Conference in June.
Promoting a ‘whole of government, whole of society’ approach to biodiversity conservation is central to the next National Biodiversity Action Plan. The draft Plan recognises the need for responsibility for biodiversity to be shared across government, acknowledging that responding to the challenges we face is not the sole responsibility of one department or organisation. In the draft Plan, among other actions aimed at broadening the governance of biodiversity across departments and local authorities, my Department commits to exploring placing the National Biodiversity Action Plan on a statutory footing.
I urge members of the public to have their say and engage with this public consultation.
