Christopher O'Sullivan
Cork South-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The aim of the hierarchy of the plan-making, as set out in the Act of 2024, is to improve scope for the various tiers of the planning system to more closely relate to one another, therefore providing greater clarity and consistency for all involved, from individual citizens and residents' groups to landowners and developers and ultimately…”
“My understanding is that a ten-year modernisation programme has already been undertaken by the Courts Service and significant progress has been made in improving the availability and use of court data.”
“Under the Act of 2024, the national planning framework continues to spearhead and explicate the planning agenda and sits at the pinnacle of the plan-led system and structure, whereby all tiers of planning from regional to local align with strategic objectives set out in the national planning framework.”
“The Senator has suggested that such plans would identify strategic development priorities, including settlement hierarchy, infrastructure corridors, climate adaptation measures and areas for regeneration; set out indicative phasing for major infrastructure and public investment; include spatial mapping of long-term development objectives;…”
“The Bill also facilitates the completion of the work of the Valuation Tribunal and the facility for the local authority to issue the levy demand and, where necessary, for An Coimisiún Pleanála to deal with any appeals to the demand that may arise in those existing cases currently with the tribunal.”
“As the system of plan-making in the State has just been revised and is being implemented for the first time, the introduction of another layer of plan-making could undermine the new hierarchy that was carefully arranged and agreed following extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, an…”
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“At a European level, Shannon Foynes Port is categorised as a core port under the Trans-European Network for Transport, TEN-T, regulation and the Foynes freight line is part of Ireland's core freight network. The regulation requires the port facilities at Foynes to be connected by high-quality rail and road links by 2030. Works are well advanced on the reinstatement of the rail line, with the project set for completion in October of this year. Track laying was completed in 2025 and works on signalling and telecommunications are progressing. Works are also progressing on the refurbishment of Foynes station, which will be used for staff accommodation on site. The replacement of 13 level crossings with CCTV-monitored crossings will provide an improvement in safety over the previous gated crossings.”
“The reinstatement of the Limerick-to-Foynes railway line, to provide a freight service, supports this principle. The rail freight network in Ireland is currently an underutilised asset. The development of an expanded rail freight network, additional services and facilities will support enhanced modal choice, supply chain resilience, economic development, regional balance and reduced carbon emissions. The reinstatement of the rail connection to the Port of Foynes will be fundamental to the growth objectives for both intermodal and bulk traffic at the port and will play an important role in improving connectivity along the western seaboard. Reinstating the line will give customers more options and support projected traffic growth resulting from mining, power generation and container transport in the region.”
“I thank Senator Collins for raising this. A lot of my answer is specifically in relation to the development of the Limerick-Foynes line. I will try to get more detail about the possibility of it being turned into a passenger-commuter line. I have a piece on Adare as well and a projected timeline that might help the Senator and the people she represents. On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this. The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy sets out the framework for the delivery and development of the transport system of the Limerick region. A key principle of the strategy is to identify and protect key strategic routes for the movement of freight traffic and to improve access to Shannon Foynes Port.”
“It is an interesting question about urban areas that the Deputy is talking about. Perhaps this is a question on which we could go back to the Minister, Deputy Foley, in respect of where the 7% of facilities are that we are missing out on. That is a very valid question to ask. I totally agree with the Deputy that we need to plough on and continue this momentum in reducing childcare fees. It is a commitment we gave and we need to continue with this work. I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents.”
“I was going to repeat the point about engagement with the city and county childcare committees to show facilities the merits of being in the scheme, but obviously the people the Deputy is talking about are, first of all, educators. This is 100% why they are in this area. They have a passion for it and they want to educate young kids. Second, they are also businesspeople. Obviously, they have gone through this, have gone up and down and in and out and decided - probably a very tough decision to make - that this was not for them. Clearly, however, considering the 93% uptake and the year-on-year increase, the scheme has been a success. As I said to the Deputy, while there were similar issues in my area and providers were dropping out of the scheme, that is no longer the case.”
“The Department has a list of all core funding partner services which is updated regularly on the Department’s website. Regardless of whether the early learning and childcare service which a child attends is participating in core funding, both the early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme and the national childcare scheme, NCS, are currently available to parents. The local childcare committee can provide contact information for parents should they need help to secure alternative places. Parents and guardians can also use the dedicated NCS website to find core funding partner services in their area. Those statistics highlight that the year-on-year increase in core funding has been a success. We have a 93% participation rate. This is not to take away from the example the Deputy has given, where clearly this has not worked.”
“The Minister remains hopeful these providers may reconsider their decision, as many have previously. Core funding is a supply-side grant to early learning and childcare providers towards their operating costs. It is designed to promote affordability for parents and sustainability for providers through increased funding to the sector, paid on a consistent and equitable basis. As core funding is an optional scheme, providers have the autonomy to withdraw from or choose not to participate in the scheme. It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to sign up to core funding and benefit from the significant financial supports it offers to providers and the certainty it gives to parents through the associated fee management measures.”
“As of 4 May 2026, there were 4,633 services signed up to the fourth year of core funding, which represents a 93% uptake by eligible services. This is the highest number of partner services in core funding at any point since the scheme was launched in 2022. The Minister, Deputy Foley, is encouraged by this rate of participation. It shows the vast majority of families will continue to benefit from the scheme’s fee management conditions. The Minister is aware a small number of services have regrettably chosen to withdraw from core funding. The Department, through the local childcare committees, CCCs, engages directly with any such service to highlight the benefits of staying in core funding, not only for their service but also for the families who avail of them.”
“When first introduced in 2022, core funding had an annual allocation of €259 million, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding to the sector. That annual allocation has increased each year since and exceeds €390 million for year 4 of the scheme, which started in September. This represents an increase of over 50% in core funding in three years. The allocation for core funding for year 5 of the scheme will increase again by 23% to over €480 million. This will support a range of important priorities, including maintaining fees at 2021 levels in year 5, supporting further improvements in pay to staff and supporting services in adhering to fee management conditions, which will ensure affordability for families and sustainability and stability for staff. Uptake of core funding remains strong.”
“I thank Deputy Ward for raising this. I will try to answer to best of my ability on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. It was a pre-election commitment by both our parties but massive inroads have been made into reducing the cost of childcare. I remember hearing debates in here where it was frequently described as a second mortgage. We have significantly reduced the cost of childcare in most instances. Clearly the Deputy is describing anomalies and outliers there but certainly the feedback we received was this intervention worked. In my constituency, with the changes in core funding, there were some issues and some providers left but that seems to have cooled off a bit in my part of Ireland. Obviously the Deputy is describing a genuine situation that clearly needs to be looked at but I will just outline the inroads that have been made.”
“I do not expect that will happen. That is just my own feeling on it. I agree with the Deputies we need to keep our standards high. If there is any hint of a possibility that people's health will be impacted, as outlined by Deputy Newsome Drennan, then that is something we cannot stand for. Getting back to my original point about the deforestation rates, it just does not sit well with me and that is something I am proud of here in Ireland in terms of our produce.”
“I cannot, obviously, give any guarantee the date of 3 September will be brought forward but as I said in the initial response, all pressure will be put on by the Department and the Minister to ensure that is upheld and the best standards are upheld. It is really up to Brazil to sort out its own affairs.”
“I come from a farming background and I know all about it. The Deputies mentioned the paperwork, the bureaucracy and the headaches those give. Farmers just want to farm. They want to get on with doing what they are good at instead of filling out forms, but it means they reach incredibly high standards and that is why our produce is famous worldwide. I commend the investigative work of the IFA and the Irish Farmers Journal because there is no doubt it was one of the highlighting factors that really brought this to attention and put it to the fore in terms of highlighting the issue in Brazil. They must be commended on that. I get the Deputies' anxiety and call for urgency in bringing the date forward.”
“This includes those in relation to food safety and environmental standards, as well as its stated intention to better align the production standards of imported products with EU production standards particularly with regard to pesticides and animal welfare. All of this work is crucial to fully addressing the concerns of our farmers and our consumers.”
“The Deputies also referenced the EU-Mercosur trade deal. As Government, we have raised concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur agreement over a number of years, particularly its potential impact on the beef sector, the strength of its climate and sustainability commitments and the food safety and environmental standards enforced by Mercosur countries. Our focus is on ensuring rigorous monitoring by the Commission of the agreement’s market impacts and the robust enforcement by the Commission, where necessary, of the provisions of the recently agreed safeguards regulation. The Government will also continue to engage closely with the Commission to ensure that it follows through on its additional commitments.”
“The annex of the draft implementing the regulation includes an updated list of countries that have demonstrated compliance with EU restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in animals. Under EU rules, such substances cannot be used to promote growth or increase production in livestock and other food-producing animals. Brazil has been excluded from the list, meaning that it can no longer export to the EU commodities such as bovine, equine, poultry, eggs, aquaculture, honey and casings, with effect from 3 September 2026. This includes both food producing live animals and derived products. This is a clear example of the importance of maintaining the EU's sanitary and phytosanitary standards. The Government will continue to advocate for the strict monitoring of imports in order to reflect the concerns of our farmers and consumers.”
“I thank both Deputies for raising this issue, and I share their concerns with regards to antimicrobial medicinal products being used and the impact that would have. Deputy Newsome Drennan highlighted well the potential health impacts in that regard. As Minister of State with responsibility for nature, I know the level of deforestation in Brazil. The production of beef is the biggest cause of deforestation in Brazil. That is something that does not sit well with me. That is just to add my personal view. On 12 May, the standing committee on plants, animals, food and feed voted in favour of a draft Commission implementing regulation amending implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 as regards the restrictions of the prohibition on the use of certain antimicrobial medicinal products and repealing implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598.”
“What is happening and what I have seen happen on the roads is nothing short of a disgrace and it needs to be clamped down on. I urge those involved to think of people and the potential road traffic accidents, but also to think of the shocking pain. It is heartbreaking to hear these animals scream in their final breath. It is something I think has touched the hearts of the entire nation when I see it. The hunger and appetite from the general public for this to be addressed is very strong. I say well done again for raising it.”
“Deputy Murphy has highlighted some very important aspects of this. The law is old and it probably has not been reviewed in a while. The legislative programme is jam packed and very busy but his suggestion of an interdepartmental group, certainly with the Departments of agriculture, Transport and justice in particular, to review the legislation would be very important. Clearly, and I can say this not being in any of those Departments but as a TD, that it does not seem fit for purpose, especially if only the organiser can be prosecuted under the legislation. It is certainly something we need to look at. In the meantime, I appeal to the better nature of anyone involved in this first of all not to do it. There are legal organised events out there on field tracks and purpose-built race tracks. They are done legally and run professionally.”
“The Act also provides that An Garda Síochána may compel individuals in control of horses to obtain necessary attention from a vet if the horse is in pain, distress, neglect or is severely injured, diseased or in need of attention. Failure to comply is an offence. In addition, under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, people in possession of a protected animal, including horses, must ensure the animal is kept and treated in a manner that safeguards their health and welfare. Failure to do this is considered an offence under that Act.”
“Participants in sulky racing are liable for any road traffic offence they may commit during the races. In many cases of sulky racing there is also considerable danger caused by vehicles following the race and, in some cases, driving alongside on the other side of the road. In these cases too, the drivers can be held liable under the Road Traffic Acts. Other legislation is in place in relation to animal welfare matters, which are a matter for the Minister for agriculture. I understand that the Control of Horses Act 1996 includes provisions in relation to An Garda Síochána's powers of seizure and detention, the minimum age to obtain a horse licence and the selling of a horse to a person under the age of 16 years.”
“Under section 74 of the Act, any person intending to hold, organise, or promote a road race on a public road must notify and obtain the approval of the local authority and the superintendent of An Garda Síochána within whose district the race is to be held. A race which is not licensed is illegal, with penalties for the organiser. However, the offence applies only to the organiser and I understand that in many cases of sulky races there is no identifiable organiser. Enforcing the Roads Act where a road race takes place unlawfully without the permission of the local authority, as the roads authority, is a matter of enforcement for An Garda Síochána. In a situation where there is an illegal race, with no notice given, it is a matter for gardaí to enforce section 74(4) of the Roads Act 1993.”
“It happens on tracks and is done in a professional way where animal welfare is paramount and the animals are looked after in the best way. I can tell Deputy Murphy that sector is disgusted with what it sees on some of the roads in Ireland. I thank Deputy Murphy for raising this. It is important to note that the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is first and foremost a matter for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that the Roads Act 1993 includes provisions for road races involving persons, vehicles or animals, and the temporary closure of public roads to facilitate a road race.”
“I thank Deputy Murphy from the bottom of my heart for raising this issue. It is such an important one to raise in Dáil Éireann. The behaviour and the actions of some of the people driving these sulkies is deplorable. It is disgusting. We have all seen the videos. We have seen the sad footage of horses losing their lives in the cruellest of ways. We can imagine the pain those animals go through. That is the worst we have seen but excessive use of the whip is always common. A lot of these animals appear undernourished as it is. There are big animal welfare issues. Of course, there is also the whole issue of road safety, where people's lives are put at risk. This has to be clamped down and I completely agree with Deputy Murphy. It is very important that we do not confuse this with legal harness racing which is licensed.”
“Is this a situation where the HSE might allow the GMS contract to go past the age of 72? Going back to the issue of indemnity, that is very much between the GP and the provider. Fair play to the Deputy for raising this, and to the constituent who so eloquently outlined why this particular GP should still have a GMS contract.”
“I picked out the same sentence the Deputy highlighted there, that the HSE can grant an extension on a case-by-case basis where considered necessary and appropriate. I guess the first part is where it is considered necessary. Does that come back to demand and vacancy in an area or lack of or challenges with GP cover? Certainly if it comes down to cognitive ability, of course surely that can be done on a case-by-case basis. It would seem like a simple thing to undertake. There is a saying down in west Cork that 80 is the new 60. Certainly we are living older and there are many 73-, 74- and 75-year-olds who are sharp as a razor, much sharper than I am in that regard. I guess that is the chink of light the Deputy is seeing in the answer there. Maybe this is a case where we can tease that out further.”
“Certainly it is something on which I am willing to go back to the Minister for Health, give the Deputy's feedback and relay his concerns. That is the current state of affairs.”
“This equates to less than 1% of the total number of GMS panels. The Government is committed to increasing the number of GPs working across the country, and several measures have been undertaken in recent years to increase GP capacity and improve access to services for all patients. Investment in general practice has been increased by over €340 million under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS agreements. The agreements provide for increased fees for participating GPs, improved and additional supports for practices, and new services for patients such as the GP chronic disease management programme. There is further text in the response but, just to summarise in terms of the Deputy's specific ask, the indemnity that a GP gets is very much between them and the indemnity provider. In the GMS contract, that age limit of 72 is clearly an issue.”
“The HSE can grant an extension on a case-by-case basis, where considered necessary and appropriate, to allow a GP to continue to see their GMS patients after reaching 72 years. After the age of 72, GPs can continue to provide services other than to medical card and GP visit card holders under the GMS. The HSE is actively involved in recruiting a replacement GP where a GMS vacancy arises. The HSE advertises GMS positions in advance of known upcoming vacancies, and every effort is then made to fill the GMS vacancy. Locum GP cover is provided in the interim for most cases, while in a small number of cases, the retiring GP is requested to remain in practice temporarily until the vacancy is filled or an alternative option is finalised. As of the beginning of April, there are only 20 GMS vacancies, with no GMS vacancies in County Cork.”
“Currently, 3,243 GPs hold at least one contract with the HSE, including 2,608 GPs who hold a General Medical Services, GMS, contract for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As private practitioners, GPs themselves are responsible for obtaining professional indemnity insurance from private medical insurance providers. Although the HSE contributes to GMS GPs' medical indemnity costs, neither the Department of Health nor the HSE has a role in the provision of medical indemnity to GPs. In that aspect, there is very little we can do in terms of intervention. Under the GMS scheme, GPs may hold their GMS contract until 72 years of age. This was recently extended from the age of 70 in 2015. That speaks to the point the Deputy makes about the case of the GP he has outlined, who is 72.”
“I thank the Deputy. The letter from the constituent clearly describes a man who is absolutely dedicated to his profession, well respected in his community and has for decades provided healthcare for the people of that community. The Deputy has explained well how restrictions, especially in terms of indemnity being provided from private insurers but also the HSE policy he referenced, can impact his wanting to provide further healthcare for the community. I have been asked by the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to outline the current policy and I hope we can have a further discussion after that. GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of public health services.”
“By law, I am not permitted to allow cutting on the bog in question. It has been designated. A process was undergone. The Deputy can question how that process was conducted, but this is now a designated SAC, By law, I have to make sure that the integrity of the site and the habitat remains intact. As a result, I am not allowed to permit cutting there. A total of €8.9 million was paid out in respect of the three bogs referred to by the Deputy. In total, €97 million has been paid out under the cessation of turf cutting scheme, which has worked for the vast majority of communities and led to those with turf cutting rights receiving payments but also to the integrity of these bogs and habitats being maintained. I reiterate that I cannot permit cutting on these bogs.”
“I reiterate that, as Minister of State, I am legally prohibited from granting consent for these activities for the reasons I outlined. These are special areas of conservation. They were designated so for a reason. Any cutting and removal of turf or any drainage or removal of top soil from this site would completely compromise its integrity and affect the species there and the habitat. I cannot comment on any court injunctions or proceedings, as the Deputy will understand, but I will say - and I have already relayed this to Senator Rabbitte and Deputy Dolan, who also made representations - that the NPWS does have a facility. We do not want anybody to be cold or to not get access to heating. There are procedures whereby the NPWS can help people in terms of getting support, but I cannot permit cutting on the bog. It is as simple as that.”
“Arising from this legal obligation on the State to ensure these sites are adequately protected, and due to the damaging effect of turn cutting and associated drainage on these protected bogs, as Minister of State, I am legally prohibited from granting consent for activities which will have an adverse effect on the integrity of these sites. Under a compensation scheme introduced by the Government in 2011, €8.9 million has been paid to date to eligible applicants in the three SAC bogs in question. On average, each eligible turf cutter across these bogs has received a payment of €24,085, which is exempt from capital gains tax.”
“The main threats to their conservation arise from any actions that remove the vegetation, drain water or cause them to dry out. In the case of active raised bogs, average water levels need to be close to the surface for most of the year to survive. Turf cutting involves the direct removal of peat and the vegetation on top and associated drainage compromises the hydrological integrity of these protected bogs by lowering the water table. These changes to the bog structure do not only result in the loss of the unique raised bog ecology but under certain conditions can influence the hydrology of the bog and its surrounding landscape.”
“I thank Deputy O'Hara and am aware of the representations that have been made by him and other Oireachtas Members from that area about these three particular bogs. The EU directive on the conservation of habitats, flora and fauna, commonly known as the habitats directive, requires all member states to select sites for the protection of habitats and species considered threatened in EU territory. Annex I of the habitats directive lists active raised bogs as priority habitats in danger of disappearing from the EU. Under the habitats directive, member states shall designate selected sites as special areas of conservation and shall take appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats within them. The bogs referred to are special areas of conservation and wetland ecosystems of high ecological value.”
“If they do not care about nature, they will not want to protect it and if they do not protect nature, who will? Our children are key. They are hungry to learn. I go to schools and visit classrooms. They soak up information, especially at primary school age. They know the length of a fin whale or the national distribution of curlews. They are hungry to learn and we need to tap into that because, if future generations care about nature, genuinely, the future of Ireland's wildlife and nature could be bright. I thank those who will contribute to the debate. I will not be here for the end of it, but I look forward to listening to views from across the House about what we can do this National Biodiversity Week to protect nature in Ireland.”
“We must support farmers, fishermen and foresters across the board to ensure that, if they volunteer to participate in nature restoration, they are paid. Fundamentally we must fund nature restoration. I have always committed to doing that and we will do it. Education is probably the most important tool we have for the future of Ireland's wildlife. I visited Knocksink in the Wicklow Mountains recently and the education facility there. I also met some of the NPWS team who go to schools to teach children about nature. It is extraordinary to see the response. Children are the best hope for the future of nature in Ireland. David Attenborough said that if children do not grow up learning and knowing about nature, they will not care about it.”
“The same sheep or beef farmers in the area are being paid to remove invasive species like rhododendron or restore peat in national parks or on private land. That is a key model because everyone wins. Farmers might be getting paid under ACRES and might also be getting paid directly by the LEADER company to participate in the removal of invasive species or in peatland restoration. It is money going to the local economy and being spent in the local shops and the biggest winners are wildlife and habitats. That model needs to be replicated across Ireland. It is the future of Ireland's nature restoration plan and informs it. I fully support and am aligned with the recommendations of the independent advisory committee on nature restoration. We must start on our land first in our national parks and on Coillte and Bord na Móna land.”
“There is also the Tóchar project, which is a bog restoration project and I will talk about the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE Integrated Project for a few minutes because I see it as key to nature restoration on private land being done in a voluntary way. Any nature restoration on private land will be voluntary. The Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP has utilised development companies and LEADER companies in regional Ireland to administer farm plan schemes. For example, in County Galway there is the Dúlra Project. Farmers in the Dúlra Project might be in the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, or a farm scheme under which they are getting paid to restore peatland or help a species. On top of that, the same farmers and fishermen may be getting an additional payment by participating in the Dúlra Project.”
“In the five or six years of Corncrake LIFE, we have seen the population of corncrakes increase by 55%, which is down to the hard work of the conservationists, ecologists and amazing farmers, including well over 200 in Belmullet, County Mayo, in Donegal and Galway who have participated in this. They have taken on board new ways of farming. They have seen a massive increase in corncrake numbers, but they have been incentivised to do it and rewarded for it. We need to replicate that model across Ireland. It is the same with LIFE on Machair, which is on a stunning, unique Irish habitat. In restoring it, there has been an added benefit for many other species.”
“We need to learn from the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action, LIFE, and European Initiative Projects, EIP, which have been so important in paving the way for restoration and saving species - things such as the breeding waders EIP. Waders, such as the curlew which breed, across Ireland are in peril. However, in the midlands in particular, through European funding and funding from my Department, they have discovered ways of protecting these nesting birds, whether through predator control or headstarting, in collaboration with Fota Wildlife Park, and we are seeing it work. Now what we need to do is scale that up and do it on a nationwide basis. The reason we talk about it a lot is that it has been an extraordinary success.”
“These rehabilitation and restoration efforts will assist Ireland in reaching its national conservation target, to restore raised and blanket bogs within the SAC and NHA networks to a favourable conservation status. To finish, I wish to talk about the way forward. I have highlighted what we have done and it is extensive across the board. I am very proud of the team at National Parks and Wildlife Service in particular for how it has delivered at such scale. We need to learn from our successes in order to find a pathway forward. We know that in Ireland, habitats, species and nature in general are not in good condition and we need to reverse that.”
“Restoring these bogs will provide multiple ecosystem services such as reducing emissions, water and air quality improvements, flood mitigation and enhancing biodiversity. Since 2018, restoration works have been undertaken or are ongoing on 30 raised bog SACs and nine NHAs, with preparatory actions under way across a further 12 sites. To date, restoration works have been delivered on approximately 7,000 ha of protected raised bog across the SAC and NHA networks. In 2025, active raised bog national extent was reported as increased by approximately 122 ha, that is, 7% since 2018. This is the first time increases in extent have been reported since Ireland commenced assessing the conservation status of this habitat in 2007. The NPWS raised bog restoration programme has been fundamental to this achievement.”
“The NPWS also monitors compliance with wildlife laws, investigates reports of offences, and works closely with An Garda Síochána which is authorised under law to enforce wildlife legislation and with other State agencies, enforce protections. Public engagement and use of reporting mechanisms helps tackle issues such as illegal poaching, disturbance of nesting birds, and destruction of vegetation during the breeding and nesting period. Through these collective efforts with agencies such an An Garda Síochána, we ensure Ireland’s rich natural environment is preserved for future generations. The NPWS is progressing with an accelerated programme of restoration on protected raised and blanket bog special areas of conservation, SACs, and natural heritage areas, NHAs.”
“A key aspect of the work of NPWS in its mission to protect nature is combatting wildlife crime, including illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and the disturbance of protected species. Wildlife crime undermines decades of conservation work. These are not victimless crimes; they directly harm our shared natural environment. The NPWS plays a lead role in addressing this threat, working alongside other enforcement partners, and is committed to working with relevant stakeholders and enforcement partners in bringing those responsible for wildlife crime before the courts. Total financial sanctions for 2020-2025 amounted to almost €600,000, and this very important work will continue to have a positive impact on our wildlife conservation.”
“Scientific monitoring and data analysis is required to inform national priorities, statutory functions and lreland’s engagement with EU nature policy and legislation. The NPWS continues to strengthen the scientific evidence base that underpins policy advice, regulatory decision-making and conservation delivery. We will obviously have the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties, COP, which will be a very important part of Ireland’s European Council Presidency, and we hope that the theme of our Presidency from that point of view will be nature restoration. Biodiversity Week is a celebration but also an opportunity to recognise the importance of strong ecosystems and biodiversity protections. The NPWS plays a vital role in conserving the country’s natural heritage, biodiversity and protected landscapes.”
“Many local authorities now have a biodiversity officer, thanks to the Heritage Council’s rollout of the biodiversity officer programme, and these officers are making a huge difference. Biodiversity is not just a topic for those directly involved in nature; it is interwoven with everyday life and decisions. It impacts people's lives. Getting this right means a positive impact for everyone, with green spaces for us all to enjoy, sustainable and healthy food systems, healthy ecosystems for flora, fauna, invertebrates, and cleaner air. I am glad to have the opportunity to publicly reaffirm my commitment, that of my Department and of Government, to continue working with colleagues across this House to ensure that due consideration and supports are given to biodiversity.”
“The NPWS conservation measures programme continues to support projects on special areas of conservation and special protection areas in the Natura 2000 network, addressing threats and pressures to the qualifying interest habitats and species in these sites. One example being the Le Chéile don Dúlra - Together for Nature - biodiversity week festival in Glenveagh. The NPWS farm plan scheme continues to grow, engaging with farmers and landowners to support nature on the land, through encouragement, advice, and financial supports, with a goal of more than 500 farm plans in progress by the end of 2025. The local biodiversity action fund, LBAF, operated by the NPWS, continues to deliver funding fora wide range of projects across all 31 local authority areas.”
“Reporting outputs have been significantly modernised through the launch by the NPWS and the National Biodiversity Data Centre of a biodiversity action plan progress tracker. This public-facing tracker dashboard provides transparency and data-driven insights into delivery of actions for biodiversity. The 2025 implementation report on the national biodiversity action plan shows that almost 80% of actions are either in progress or completed, with clear pathways for further action. In 2026, the peatlands and Natura community engagement scheme is continuing to expand and offer support to communities by providing funding of over €1.1 million to 53 community-led projects.”