Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
389. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the 59 recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/26]
View answerThe Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (CABL) published its’ report in April 2023. This report was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, who held a series of engagement with stakeholders to discuss the issues raised. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action published their report on the recommendations of the CABL in December 2023, containing 86 recommendations which the Committee felt were vital to ensure that the biodiversity crisis in Ireland is addressed in a meaningful way.
Government published a report responding to the 159 Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (CABL) and the 58 Calls to Action of the Children and Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (CYPABL) in October 2024. Collated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the report showed that at the time, over 90% of the recommendations of the CABL and the CYPABL were considered to be either implemented or in progress, meaning that elements of the recommendations are incorporated into existing Government policies and strategies, such as the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). This report is published on: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-on-citizens-assembly-on-biodiversity-loss-children-and-young-peoples-assembly-on-biodiversity-loss/
The 2025 Implementation report of the 4th NBAP was published earlier this month. Prepared by the NPWS, with the input of the interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group, the report indicates progress across core areas of governance for biodiversity. The report highlights potential areas for increased focus in the next phase of implementation of Plan, including actions relating to data collection to support the development of a national Nature Restoration Plan (NRP), as required by the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Information on the 4th NBAP is published on: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-on-citizens-assembly-on-biodiversity-loss-children-and-young-peoples-assembly-on-biodiversity-loss/
