‘Restoring Nature for the Benefit of All’ is an associated event of the Irish EU presidency organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Birdlife EU, WWF EU and ClientEarth. Directors from national nature agencies across the EU are meeting in Ireland this week as part of the presidency.

The event will be opened by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, who faces the challenge of securing funding in the upcoming budget for the ambitious Nature Restoration Plan the government has just submitted to the European Commission.

Speaking before the event Caroline Heinzel, nature policy officer at the EEB said: “More than 80 per cent of protected habitats in Europe are in poor condition and urgent action is required to halt biodiversity loss. The Nature Restoration Law is the most important piece of biodiversity legislation to come out of Europe in thirty years and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference for nature.”

Karen Ciesieski, CEO of IEN said: “Ireland is facing a nature and biodiversity crisis – 90 per cent of Ireland’s protected habitats are in ‘unfavourable’ conservation status, with around half showing deteriorating trends.

“We urgently need to change direction on nature depletion and biodiversity loss and the Nature Restoration Plan provides us with the opportunity. Political leadership, especially the mobilisation of dedicated long-term financial support, will be critical to making nature restoration a reality.”

Polling by Ireland Thinks, commissioned by IEN, shows strong support for the practical proposals agreed by representatives of farmers, fishers, foresters, academics and environmentalists in a process chaired by Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin.

Three in four people think the government should fund nature restoration. Eight in 10 think the government should lead the way by restoring nature on state owned lands as a priority. And nine in 10 people say the government should support farmers, fishermen and foresters to restore nature.

Commenting on the recommendations, Dr Ní Shúilleabháin, who will speak at today’s event said: “Nature is important infrastructure with multiple societal benefits. We have developed a clear path as to how government can act to ensure the ecosystems on which our society and economy are utterly dependent, can be restored to good health.

“This is a generational opportunity to make a difference in how we look after nature for ourselves and those coming after us. Leadership from government is essential. This opportunity can only be secured with an adequate and dedicated multi-annual fund.”

Ms Ciesielski added: “At a time when healthy and resilient ecosystems are increasingly needed to strengthen Europe’s capacity to deal with the intertwined biodiversity, pollution and climate crises, effective implementation of the NRR provides a unique opportunity to bring nature back to the benefit of people, communities and economies.

“The first step is for the Irish government to put its money where its mouth is in next month’s budget. We’re counting on minister O’Sullivan to deliver on his stated commitment to ensuring funding restoration.”

Speaking in June, Mr O’Sullivan 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.”

‘Restoring Nature for the Benefit of All, Implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation’ will take place today from 5pm to 7pm at Europe House, 5 Balfe Street, D02 E7K4.