The estimated level of investment that would be required to manage and restore habitats and species to the status required under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives is circa €163 million per annum, or €1.138 billion over a seven-year period.
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Malcolm Noonan this morning (Tuesday, March 2) sought government approval for Ireland’s second ‘Prioritised Action Framework’.
In accordance with Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive, the European Commission is required, in agreement with member states, to assess the financing – including the co-financing – that is required to maintain or restore protected habitats and species listed in the EU Nature Directives.
This is to be reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks for each member state which, in turn, are to have regard to the available sources of funding under relevant EU funding instruments.
Ireland’s framework
A Prioritised Action Framework has been prepared for Ireland on foot of reports on: the ‘Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland’ submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive; and on the ‘Status of Birds in Ireland’, submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 12 of the Birds Directive.
It should be noted that the estimated costs in the Prioritised Action Framework are not commitments to funding.
Rather, they are estimates of the overall level of investment that would be required to manage and restore habitats and species in the Natura 2000 network to the status required under the Habitats and Birds Directives.
This framework was prepared in consultation with other departments and bodies under their aegis: the Department of Agriculture; the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; the Office of Public Works; Inland Fisheries Ireland; the Environmental Protection Agency; Coillte; local authorities; and the Heritage Council. Farming organisations, environmental NGOs and the wider public were also consulted.
‘Jewels in the crown of Ireland’s natural heritage’
Commenting on the framework, Minister Noonan said:
“These habitats are the jewels in the crown of Ireland’s natural heritage and there are many compelling reasons to protect, conserve and restore them: environmental; social; economic; reputational; ethical…but perhaps the most compelling is the fact that – now more than ever before – the Irish people want us to.
There has never been greater public demand for healthy nature – in towns and cities, forests, bogs and agricultural landscapes, rivers, lakes and oceans, in the skies and in the soils.
The framework went through a period of public consultation from July to September 2020.
The commission has stated that the information contained in the framework will be used when reviewing Ireland’s CAP strategic plan, associated framework documents, and other programmatic plans and funding requests relating to the next operational period.
Furthermore, Ireland has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union in regard to the designation and management of SACs.