Public Consultation on the Natura Impact Statement of the Draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme 2026 - 2029

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, T.D., has published the Natura Impact Statement of the draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) for consultation.

The measures for the draft Sixth NAP have been developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is recognised that further action is needed to protect and improve water quality and the suite of measures have been developed following recommendations from the Nitrates Expert Group and in consultation with stakeholders including the DAFM’s Agriculture Water Quality Working Group. Ireland’s current Fifth NAP is given effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 113 of 2022), as amended. The Regulations contain specific measures to protect surface waters and groundwater from nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources. Once the measures are finalised, the current Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations will be revoked and replaced with new Regulations to implement the regulatory measures in the Sixth NAP.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the public’s views on the Natura Impact Statement of the draft Sixth NAP. The Ecological Assessment Unit of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during the public consultation. Following a review of the responses, the Ecological Assessment Unit will make a determination to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive.

Public Consultation under Regulation 42A of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 293 of 2021)

An Appropriate Assessment is being conducted of the draft Sixth NAP by the Ecological Assessment Unit, as required under Regulation 42A of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021. This public consultation is being carried out in accordance with Regulation 42A(13) of these Regulations. The Ecological Assessment Unit 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.

The Minister now invites members of the public to make submissions, observations and comments on the Natura Impact Statement during the period from Saturday 1st November 2025 to 5pm Monday 1st December 2025.

A copy of:

• Natura Impact Statement and Appendices
• Privacy Statement

are all available for public inspection online and at 90 North King Street (Smithfield) offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin 7, during office hours (9.15 to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.15am to 5.15pm on Fridays, excluding public holidays) during the period from Monday 3rd November 2024 until 5pm Monday 1st December 2025.

If you wish to view the documents in person, please email eau@npws.gov.ie or call (01) 888 2052 and reference the consultation to make an appointment.

Submissions or observations in relation to the Natura Impact Statement of the draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme

Submissions or observations in relation to the Natura Impact Statement can be made either to eau@npws.gov.ie or by post to:

Head of Ecological Assessment

Room 2.23 Ecological Assessment Unit

National Parks and Wildlife Service

90 North King Street

Smithfield

Dublin D07 N7CV.

These 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.

Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the Consultation’s Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

Separate consultations are currently being undertaken for the Draft Sixth NAP and Draft GAP Regulations 2026. Documents are available to view at the following link:

Public Consultation on the Draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme

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. Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission (other than your name or contact details). It will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

The information provided by respondents will be used in order to refine and finalise the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme and the associated assessments, as outlined above.