Ryan and Noonan welcome important new step forward for the Nature Restoration Law

Green Party Ministers Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan welcomed the EU Environment Council vote in Luxembourg today (June 20) to agree the council’s General Approach to the Nature Restoration Law.

The EU’s flagship biodiversity regulation, which sets legally-binding targets to return damaged habitats on land and sea back to good condition, was signed off this morning at Council level with the adoption of a ‘General Approach’ by member states.

The Greens are the only party in Ireland that has remained absolutely committed to the Nature Restoration Law as the bill makes its way through the European Union’s legislative process.

Subject to next week’s decision of the EU Parliament’s Environment Committee and the plenary of the EU Parliament, which is expected next month, the NRL will then proceed into trilogue negotiations between the EU Commission, Council and Parliament before being finalised and adopted as a Regulation.

Speaking in Luxembourg, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD said:

“Today is a great day for nature. Ireland has indicated its support for the Nature Restoration Law at the EU Council of Environment Ministers and a General Approach has been agreed between Member States. I believe that the text agreed today is a positive, ambitious and balanced one that will bring significant benefits for nature and people right across Ireland. Implementing the Nature Restoration Law will benefit rural economies through voluntary, well-resourced schemes and new jobs, while bringing wildlife back to our forests, rivers, oceans and agricultural ecosystems, as well as our towns and cities.

“Restoring nature will also shore up the many ecosystem services that we all need to survive. Nature is our lifeline and we are entirely dependent on it for food security, clean water, fresh air and economic production. What’s more, the resilience healthy nature provides against extreme weather events is even more vital in a climate changed future. A wide variety of stakeholders including the ECB, multinational corporations, wind energy groups, hunters and over 3,000 scientists have come out in favour of the NRL. 

"Most importantly, our citizens want this – both in Europe and at home. Now, it’s on the shoulders of our colleagues in the European Parliament to find a constructive and positive way forward.”

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD said:

“Like everyone who cares about nature, I’m relieved that the Nature Restoration Law was supported by the Environment Council.

“The Irish Government, led by the Green Party, has worked collaboratively at the national level and with its partners in Europe to ensure that the EU Council’s proposal works for nature and people in Ireland. We believe that the Presidency’s current draft is a good and balanced one that will bring increased investment into rural Ireland through job creation and voluntary, well-resourced schemes, while bringing back wildlife and restoring wild places.”

“I would like to say thanks to the Swedish team, and colleagues in the member states, as well as the Commission for their tireless work in getting this proposal to the table today.”