More time and engagement is needed for Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan, according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA).

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan recently launched first public consultation on the draft template for the plan.

The minister said that "public participation and stakeholder engagement are at the heart of Ireland’s approach to restoring nature".

He said this is the "first of several steps on our journey to develop a national policy that creates an opportunity for each and every one of us to take part in this great national effort".

The closing date for submissions in this first consultation is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

INHFA

However, INHFA national president Pheilim Molloy has called for an extension of the closing date and for more direct engagement for those interested in making a submission.

Molloy claimed the current process "seems deliberately designed to reduce the number of submissions".

"Our understanding was that the consultation process would run for two months and see staff from the NPWS [National Parks and Wildlife Service] and Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, themselves hold meetings across the country, explaining the plan and taking questions from members of the public.

"Unfortunately, what we have here is a box ticking exercise that effectively excludes the public due to a level of detail that most people will find exhaustive," he said.

According to Molloy, the consultation link contains 11 documents including EU Commission text and regulation, draft templates and guidance documents, SEA screening and environmental reports.

"Beyond these, there is reference made inside many of these documents to further documents that will need to be read for context and background information.

"So even if there are people that are willing to do this they won't have the time to digest the necessary information and respond within the current timeframe," he said.

Nature restoration

The INHFA president said it is "critical" that Minister O'Sullivan and his officials "review the process and timeframe".

"In doing this they need to arrange meetings across the country to explain what is involved and critically answer the many questions people have on this.

"In addition to this they also need to extend the closing date to the end of July," he said.

"The plan has the potential to impact heavily on farmers and landowners but will also impact at community and national level as it will form part of our planning process.

"It will run to 2050 and possibly beyond and as of now there is no money to support it, in a similar manner to the land designations first introduced thirty years ago.

"On this basis the minimum our farmers, landowners and communities need is real engagement and a timescale that allows for this," Molloy added.