Minister Noonan brings Prioritised Action Framework to Cabinet

Minister Noonan this morning sought Government approval for Ireland’s second “Prioritised Action Framework”. This document sets out Ireland’s priorities for habitat and species protection and restoration in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas in the period 2021-2027, for formal submission to the European Commission in line with Article 8 of the Habitats Directive.

In accordance with Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive, the European Commission is required, in agreement with Member States, to assess the financing – including the co-financing – that is required to maintain or restore protected habitats and species listed in the EU Nature Directives. This is to be reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks for each Member State, which in turn are to have regard to the available sources of funding under relevant EU funding instruments.

A Prioritised Action Framework has been prepared for Ireland on foot of reports on: the ‘Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland’ submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, and on the ‘Status of Birds in Ireland’, submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 12 of the Birds Directive.

The estimated costs for the delivery of the suite of prioritised measures for the 2021-2027 period would be circa €163 million per annum, or €1.138 billion over the seven year period. It should be noted that the estimated costs in the Prioritised Action Framework are not commitments to funding. Rather, they are estimates of the overall level of investment that would be required to manage and restore habitats and species in the Natura 2000 network to the status required under the Habitats and Birds Directives.

This Framework was prepared in consultation with other Departments, and bodies under their aegis: the agriculture, forest, fisheries and aquaculture sections of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC); the Office of Public Works (OPW); Inland Fisheries Ireland, the EPA, Coillte, Local Authorities, and the Heritage Council. Farming organisations, environmental NGOs and the wider public were also consulted.

Minister Noonan reaffirmed his commitment to continue working with colleagues in Government to ensure that Ireland maximises the opportunities to utilise EU funding instruments in assisting to meet the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives, in line with the priorities set out in the Prioritised Action Framework. He also thanked colleagues for the support already expressed for the Framework and looks forward to working with them in moving forward with its implementation.

Commenting on the Prioritised Action Framework, Minister Noonan said:

“These habitats are the jewels in the crown of Ireland’s natural heritage and there are many compelling reasons to protect, conserve and restore them: environmental, social, economic, reputational, ethical… but perhaps the most compelling is the fact that – now more than ever before – the Irish people want us to. There has never been greater public demand for healthy nature – in towns and cities, forests, bogs and agricultural landscapes, rivers, lakes and oceans, in the skies and in the soils. It is through the collective efforts of this Government that we will maximise the benefits of biodiversity action for rural economies, tourism, public health and wellbeing, and for nature itself, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this work.”

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