The Environmental Pillar is urging people to make submissions to the consultation on Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.

The pillar, which is made up of 32 non-governmental organisations, said that Irish people have a "once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference for nature".

The public is currently being asked for its views on Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, with the draft template launched recently.

The closing date for submissions is July 1, 2026.

'Need to change direction'

The Environmental Pillar said this plan is important as Ireland is facing a "nature and biodiversity crisis", with 90% of Ireland’s protected habitats in ‘unfavourable’ conservation status, and around half showing deteriorating trends.

Fintan Kelly, senior land use officer at the Environmental Pillar, said: “We urgently need to change direction and we now have an opportunity.

"The government is currently developing Ireland’s first National Nature Restoration Plan, which will implement the obligations of the Nature Restoration Law, shaping how we restore our landscapes, waters, and wildlife for decades to come. 

"We need a strong, ambitious plan that fully delivers on Ireland’s legal obligations, while empowering communities and custodians to lead in nature's recovery."

Priorities

The Environmental Pillar has identified nine "key priorities" for Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan. These are:

An ambitious Nature Restoration Plan;
Political leadership and whole-of-government approach;
Sustainable and long-term financing;
Unlocking the potential of public lands;
Empowering civil society;
Empowering our custodians;
No backsliding on environmental protections;
An ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas;
Prioritise the habitats or threatened species.

In terms of political leadership, the pillar said "Ireland will not meet its nature restoration obligations without stronger, coordinated governance".

"The Taoiseach should lead a whole-of-government approach, supported by cabinet oversight, to ensure accountability across all levels of government, aligned funding, and the elimination of public spending that undermines nature."

The pillar said dedicated, long-term national funding should be established to deliver the Nature Restoration Plan to 2050 and beyond, while ensuring that EU funding streams post-2027 are "fully aligned with restoration objectives and do not undermine nature protection or restoration".

Empowering farmers

The pillar added that farmers, fishers and foresters should be empowered to "lead from the front on nature restoration by incentivising voluntary action through existing and new funding streams".

"Ensure funding is stable, long-term, and designed to deliver both environmental outcomes and resilient rural and coastal livelihoods as public goods," it added.

The pillar is also calling for the full implementation of existing national and EU environmental legislation, "recognising the Nature Restoration Regulation as part of a broader legal framework safeguarding ecosystems, climate, air and water".