Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan told Agriland that the Nature Restoration Plan will not “displace farming”.

The plan was launched today (April 29) after 15 months of work by the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC), and sets out 94 recommendations to guide how Ireland will meet its obligations under the EU Nature Restoration Law.

It is understood that it could cost between €450-€700 million per year to implement the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in Ireland.

At the launch, Minister O’Sullivan told Agriland: “The recommendations are one that we funded, so we have to put money behind us.

He added that another recommendation is “to start on public land, so the international parks and nature reserves are the first port of call when it comes to nature restoration”.

The minister explained: “If we do anything on private land, for example, with farmers, then one, it's voluntary and we've made that commitment.

“But number two, that we pay for it and that we incentivise farmers.

"And I think that's why this document is a win-win for everybody.

“It's a win for nature, but it's a win for farmers, because if they do opt in, they will get incentivised to do it.”

Compulsory purchase orders

When queried on the possibility of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the plan, Minister O’Sullivan described the option as "out of the question".

He said: “When it comes to expanding our national parks and nature reserves, we would do so in the first instance where someone approached us.

“The other instance may be where we do a partnership with another agency, like Coillte, for example, but we're not in the business of outbidding other farmers.

“We understand the importance of farmers, so CPOs is out of the question when it comes to the Nature Restoration Plan," he said.

Concerns

The Nature Restoration Plan recommendations drew on the expertise of a multi-disciplinary group of independent experts who made up the 13-person committee.

It was chaired by Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and included members from a wide range of sectors, such as farming, fishing, forestry, local government, scientific, statutory agencies, and non-governmental organisations.

However, some groups and individuals have expressed doubts about the plan.

Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) environment and rural affairs chair John Murphy said: “We are still very much in the dark, with no clear understanding of what is being asked of us or how it will be funded.”

“There was a clear expectation when the regulation was passed in 2024 that the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund would support nature restoration. That funding has since been diverted, which has seriously undermined confidence," Murphy said.

Separately, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has said there must be "no degree of compulsion whatsoever" on farmers when it comes to nature restoration.

ICMSA deputy president, Eamon Carroll, who sat on the IAC, said recommendations must be "funded completely".

"While there’s no doubt that there are areas of improvements needed in nature on this island, we naturally expect state agencies to show a lead and use their own lands first before any question arises on private farmers’ land," he said.