12/14/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/14/2023 05:23
The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action today published its Report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss, which makes 86 recommendations and conclusions across six key themes.
The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss was convened to examine and consider how the State can improve its response to the crisis of biodiversity loss. The Assembly comprised of 100 members including the Chairperson, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, and 99 members of the public.
Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Leddin said: "The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss in Ireland published its Report in March 2023 and it was referred to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action in June for consideration, with a report back date of the end of this year.
"In considering this report the Committee engaged extensively with relevant stakeholders. Our report contains 86 recommendations and conclusions which the Committee feel are vital to ensure that the biodiversity crisis in Ireland is addressed in a meaningful way."
The Committee held a series of engagements with stakeholders in September, October and November in which the following key areas were identified as having gaps in implementation:
Deputy Leddin said: "The Committee notes and commends the considerable and robust examination of the issues by the Citizens' Assembly by diverse members from across the country including the expert advice given throughout the process.
"The recommendations in this Joint Oireachtas Report represent our conclusions following a careful and thorough consideration of the Citizens' Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss. In addition, the Committee recommends that all recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly report on Biodiversity Loss be examined and considered for implementation by Government."
Key recommendations made by the Committee are:
Deputy Leddin said: "Farmers and non-farming landowners should be financially rewarded for the provision of ecosystem services and ecological care and the restoration and protection of nature through results-based payments. Government must develop policies so that we have prosperous family farms in the years ahead deriving income from both quality food production and from environmental services, and ensure that these objectives are not in conflict."
Deputy Leddin concluded: "I would like to express my appreciation to all the witnesses for their valuable contributions and to the Members of the Committee for their dedicated work in this collaborative process. I would also like to thank those groups who took the time to inform the Committee by written submissions. I would encourage everyone to take the time to read this report and the recommendations it contains. This report should be also debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas."
The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
The Committee's Report on the examination of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly report on Biodiversity Lossis available on the Oireachtas website.