First public consultation on Ireland’s draft National Nature Restoration Plan

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are preparing Ireland’s initial draft National Nature Restoration Plan (NRP) in response to the adoption of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) (EU) 2024/1991 by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in 2024.

The Regulation represents the first comprehensive, legally binding framework at EU level dedicated specifically to the largescale restoration of degraded ecosystems across land and sea. It establishes binding restoration targets for a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, marine, agricultural, forest and urban ecosystems, with the overarching objective of restoring at least 20 percent of the EU’s land and sea area by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

As an EU Regulation, it is directly applicable in all Member States and requires each State to prepare a NRP of how these targets will be achieved over time. Member States must publish a draft NRP by 1 September 2026 in the format mandated by the European Commission specifying how targets are achieved for each defined ecosystem to 2030, 2040 and 2050. This is an early-stage, technical document setting out the current baseline, available data and existing measures. It evaluates the environmental implications of the NRP, and to seek ways to enhance positive effects or minimise significant negative effects. Member States must publish and submit a final NRP to the European Commission in 2027.

In accordance with the requirements of S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004, as amended by S.I. No. 200 of 2011 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011), and S.I. No. 463 of 2025 European Union (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out in respect of the draft NRP, and an SEA Environmental Report has been prepared. Further, in accordance with Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is being carried out in respect of the draft NRP, and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared. Finally, a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is being carried out and an SFRA Report has been prepared. Further, in accordance with Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, and as required under Regulation 42A of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) by the Ecological Assessment Unit, is being carried out in respect of the draft NRP. This public consultation is being carried out in accordance with Regulation 42A(13) of these Regulations. The EAU shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during the public consultation and may subsequently determine that the plan shall, or shall not, adversely affect the integrity of a European site. A Natura Impact Statement Report (NIS) has been prepared, and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is also being carried out and an SFRA Report has been prepared.

For more information, please view the following links and documents attached:

• European Commission About Nature Restoration Law
• European Commission Text on Nature Restoration Regulation
• European Commission Implementing the National Restoration Plan
• Independent Advisory Committee’s (IAC) Report on Nature Restoration Report

The Department recognises the importance of consultation and wishes to make the process of preparing Ireland’s draft NRP as open and transparent as possible by allowing members of the public and interested stakeholders to make submissions that will inform and shape the development of Ireland’s draft NRP, specifically to:

• engage stakeholders early in the process of the draft NRP
• gather input to help shape and strengthen the draft NRP
• identify gaps, priorities and opportunities for delivery of the draft NR

If you wish to make a submission, here are the ways to get involved:

• complete the public consultation form
• email submissions to: nationalrestorationplan@npws.gov.ie
• send submissions by post to:

National Nature Restoration Plan,

National Parks and Wildlife Service,

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage,

90 North King Street,

Dublin 7, D07 N7CV

The closing date for submissions is Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

If at any time you wish to withdraw your submission, please contact nationalrestorationplan@npws.gov.ie

All documents are all available for public inspection online and in-person at National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 90 North King Street, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV, during office hours Monday to Thursday (9.15 to 5.30pm) and Fridays (9.15am to 5.15pm).

• Ireland’s draft NRP template
• Ireland’s draft NRP – Guidance Document
• SEA Screening for Determination
• AA Screening for Determination
• SEA Environmental Report
• NIS Report
• SFRA Report

The guidance document outlines in greater detail Ireland’s draft NRP. It also sets out several questions that you may wish to consider when making your submission. It is strongly recommended that you review this Note as an aid when making your submission.

The Department will review every submission received. The information provided by participants will be used to inform and shape the development of Ireland’s draft NRP. With regard to the NIS Report, submissions will be considered by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) and will inform a determination pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021.

Ireland will submit its initial draft NRP to the European Commission by 1 September 2026. This will follow a period of formal dialogue with the European Commission, incorporating recommendations and observations. The second stage of the public consultation will take place in 2027. Ireland will submit its final NRP to the European Commission by 1 September 2027.

All submissions received will be published on the Department’s website. Any personal and identifying information will be redacted prior to publication on the website.

All submissions and comments submitted to the department for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in the body of your submission.

Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation. The department’s Privacy Statement can be viewed below.

• First public consultation - Ireland’s draft NRP – Privacy Statement