Minister O’Sullivan launches Independent Advisory Committee recommendations report on Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan

Pictured is (L-R) Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, chair of the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration with Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan

Minister O’Sullivan will consider the IAC’s recommendations as part of the ongoing preparation of the draft Nature Restoration Plan, which remains under development

Horticulture

6 May 2026

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity – Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has recently launched the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) report, titled: ‘Recommendations to inform the development and implementation of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan’ (NRP) in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.

“The work of the Committee represents an extraordinary coming together of diverse stakeholders and represents a landmark process of collaboration in contributing to the development of our national policy and practices to benefit nature,” Dr Ní Shúilleabháin, chair of the Independent Advisory Committee, said.

The report includes 46 policy recommendations and 48 article-specific recommendations and represents the culmination of 15 months of work by the IAC, which was established in late 2024 to advise the minister on the preparation of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan – a requirement under the EU Nature Restoration Law.

It comprises seven general recommendations aimed at ensuring a successful implementation of the forthcoming plan, including three ‘priority’ recommendations: funding nature restoration, prioritising action on public lands, supporting farmers, fishermen and foresters.

In addition, the report provides an analysis of Articles 4 to 13 of the EU Nature Restoration Law, which sets out legally binding targets to restore a wide range of ecosystems and species in EU Member States.

“Ireland can be very proud of the approach we are taking to the development of our Nature Restoration Plan. We are working from the bottom up, listening to communities and engaging with key sectors, and collaborating across perspectives and positions to find a common ground for the future of nature in this country,” Minister O’Sullivan said.

The 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.

The IAC’s work was informed by parallel public and stakeholder engagement processes that heard from over 1,000 people across the country through deliberative democracy-style ‘Leaders Forums’ and local, participatory ‘Community Conversations’. This is in addition to regular engagement with technical groups comprising experts from government departments and agencies across the themes of land, sea, urban, and finance.

Minister O’Sullivan will consider the IAC’s recommendations as part of the ongoing preparation of the draft Nature Restoration Plan, which remains under development.

Ireland is required to submit its draft NRP to the European Commission by 1 September 2026, and from this point a 12-month dialogue with the Commission will commence on the requirements of the Regulation and Ireland’s proposed response to meet restoration targets to 2030, 2040 and 2050.

A four week round of public consultation on the draft plan will begin at the end of May. The final NRP will be submitted to the Commission in September 2027 following its approval by cabinet.