Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action published ‘Report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss’

The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss was convened to examine and consider how the State can improve its response to the crisis of biodiversity loss. The Assembly comprised of 100 members including the Chairperson, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, and 99 members of the public.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Leddin said: “The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss in Ireland published its Report in March 2023 and it was referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action in June for consideration, with a report back date of the end of this year.

“In considering this report the Committee engaged extensively with relevant stakeholders. Our report contains 86 recommendations and conclusions which the Committee feel are vital to ensure that the biodiversity crisis in Ireland is addressed in a meaningful way.”

The Committee held a series of engagements with stakeholders in September, October and November in which the following key areas were identified as having gaps in implementation:

• Environmental law and enforcement;
• Rights of nature;
• Funding Nature Restoration;
• Land Use and Water;
• Mandates of semi-State Bodies;
• National Biodiversity Action Plan and Protected Sites.

Deputy Leddin said: “The Committee notes and commends the considerable and robust examination of the issues by the Citizens’ Assembly by diverse members from across the country including the expert advice given throughout the process.

“The recommendations in this Joint Oireachtas Report represent our conclusions following a careful and thorough consideration of the Citizens’ Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss. In addition, the Committee recommends that all recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss be examined and considered for implementation by Government.”

Key recommendations made by the Committee are:

• The Government begin the preparatory steps to consider a referendum or referenda to protect our biodiversity through the incorporation of the rights of nature and/or the right to a healthy environment into the Constitution within the lifetime of the current Dáil, which includes the establishment of an expert group with resources to design and draft the potential question or questions.
• The calls to action as set out in the Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss should be examined and considered for implementation by the relevant government departments.
• As a complement to the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), the Government, led by the Department of An Taoiseach, sets out and oversees, communicates and implements a strategic vision for the well-being of the people of Ireland, and the future of rural communities, farmer livelihood, and rural development.
• The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science develops a strategy to support the national and EU ambition on biodiversity, soil, forestry and water, involving all agencies, higher education institutes and other organisations.
• A fundamental change in approach to environmental governance across government departments and that implementation and enforcement of existing environmental law be given priority.
• Action be taken to strengthen enforcement in relation to biodiversity and environmental issues across State bodies; and a review of enforcement resources and practises be undertaken to identify possible collaboration opportunities between relevant state agencies
• Legislation governing Coillte and Bord na Mona is urgently reviewed and amended to align with national and EU laws and biodiversity objectives.
• The delivery of the National Biodiversity Action Plan should be aligned with the Climate Action Plan and overseen in the same way from the Taoiseach’s office.
• A review of current and future taxation and levies with respect to their impact on biodiversity act to amend taxation and levies which result in perverse incentives to damage nature.
• All appropriate steps be taken to significantly improve water quality in line with the EU Water Framework Directive

Deputy Leddin said: “Farmers and non-farming landowners should be financially rewarded for the provision of ecosystem services and ecological care and the restoration and protection of nature through results-based payments. Government must develop policies so that we have prosperous family farms in the years ahead deriving income from both quality food production and from environmental services, and ensure that these objectives are not in conflict.”

Deputy Leddin concluded: “I would like to express my appreciation to all the witnesses for their valuable contributions and to the Members of the Committee for their dedicated work in this collaborative process. I would also like to thank those groups who took the time to inform the Committee by written submissions. I would encourage everyone to take the time to read this report and the recommendations it contains. This report should be also debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas.”

The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The Committee’s Report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss is available on the Oireachtas website.