Key facts
- Ireland has launched its first public consultation on a draft Nature Restoration Plan template.
- The plan is based on a template provided by the European Commission.
- Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, announced the consultation.
- The closing date for submissions is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
- The finalized plan will be submitted to the commission in September.
Ireland has initiated its first public consultation phase for a draft Nature Restoration Plan template, a move announced by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, on Wednesday, June 3. This plan is structured according to a template mandated by the European Commission, designed to systematically address the requirements of the Nature Restoration Law. Minister O'Sullivan highlighted that public participation and stakeholder engagement are fundamental to Ireland's strategy for nature restoration, describing the current announcement as the initial step in developing a national policy that encourages widespread involvement. Following this public consultation, the draft plan is slated for submission to the commission in September. The commission will then provide feedback over a 12-month period, after which another iteration of the plan will undergo further public consultation before final cabinet approval. The minister intends to consolidate the finalized Nature Restoration Plan, recommendations from the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration, and the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030 into a single, overarching National Nature Strategy. This strategy will detail the measures, schemes, and incentives required to reverse nature loss and ensure compliance with the Nature Restoration Law, including its funding mechanisms. The closing date for submissions to this initial consultation is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.