The first public consultation on Ireland’s draft Nature Restoration Plan template has been launched.

Making the announcement today (Wednesday, June 3), Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan said that this "marks a significant milestone in Ireland’s efforts to restore nature".

"I’d like to acknowledge the huge amount of work that has gone into the development of this document across multiple government departments and state agencies over the past year and a half," he said.

“Public participation and stakeholder engagement are at the heart of Ireland’s approach to restoring nature.

"As such, today’s announcement 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."

Nature Restoration Plan

Like all member states, Ireland’s draft Nature Restoration Plan template is based on a prescriptive template that was provided by the European Commission.

As such, it is a technical document that was designed to respond to the detail of the regulation in a systematic way, Minister O'Sullivan said.

“Following the public consultation, and subject to approval at cabinet, we will submit the draft to the commission this coming September," the minister said.

"The next iteration of the plan will then go out to another public consultation, before approval is sought at cabinet again on the final document."

Minister O'Sullivan said it is his intention to develop a National Nature Strategy that absorbs both the finalised Nature Restoration Plan template, the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration and the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030.

This strategy will create "one overarching national policy to restore and protect nature in Ireland".

“I want this document to be the place where we spell out the measures, schemes and incentives that will turn the tide on nature loss, with a full and complete picture of what the Nature Restoration Law requires of us and - crucially - how its implementation will be funded," he said.

“Delivering on the Nature Restoration Law is my top priority as Minister for Nature.

"I am currently working with colleagues across government to put the necessary resources and supports in place so that Ireland is ready to grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity and ensure we can all share in the benefits of a healthy, thriving natural environment."

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