A coalition of environmental organisations will hold a rally today (Wednesday, May 31) outside Leinster House in Dublin to highlight their support for the proposed European Union (EU) Nature Restoration Law.
A debate is also scheduled to take place today in the Dáil on the “Nature Restoration Law and Irish agriculture”.
The rally outside Leinster House is being organised by the Environmental Pillar, Stop Climate Chaos, the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), and Extinction Rebellion.
The group have demanded that the government takes steps to adopt the EU proposal.
They claim that there is “a redoubling of efforts across Europe to restore nature” however Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin Members of European Parliament (MEPs) have also claimed that the draft law is “caving in to misinformation”.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday (Tuesday, May 30) that the Nature Restoration Law was still a proposal, but acknowledged that there were “some very far-reaching proposals” that would have an impact not just on rural communities in Ireland but also in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue told Agriland today that he has given his “absolute insurance” to farmers that “no farmer will be required to do rewetting on their land”.
Fintan Kelly, Agriculture and Land Use Policy and Advocacy Officer who represents the Environmental Pillar stated that:
“It’s time that party leaders reassured farmers that nature restoration is in their interests and that they will be involved in the design and implementation of any future voluntary schemes.”
“The Nature Restoration Law should be viewed as an opportunity to leverage new EU and national funds to deliver the greatest benefit for nature and rural communities,” he added.
Scientists, activists, community leaders and other members of the public are expected to attend the rally outside Leinster House.
Sadhbh O’ Neill, Climate campaign co-ordinator with the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said “We need our elected leaders to wake up and recognise that climate action is widely supported by their voters and urgently needed.
“The Nature Restoration Law is an opportunity to create a lasting framework and funding stream to restore ecosystems, including peatlands which are vital carbon sinks.”