Over 90% of habitats in Ireland designated under EU law are "inadequate" or of "bad status", according to the Biodiversity Indicator Survey for 2017.

The Green Party has called on the Heritage Minister to tackle the issue "urgently".

Green Party Spokesperson for Community, Rural Affairs and Local Government Cllr Malcolm Noonan said: "We wish Minister Madigan well in her new post but she has a job of work to do to reverse the disastrous policy decisions of her predecessor, Heather Humphries. It's clear that Fine Gael is a friend to ranch farming but not to rural Ireland and certainly not to our natural habitats. This report highlights a very perilous situation regarding our wildlife."

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He said that a 183% increase in high impact invasive species since 1961 had the potential to play havoc not just with native flora and fauna but our agricultural systems too.

He continued: "We would urge Minister Madigan to fully resource local authorities, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and other agencies charged with protecting nature to ensure that they can carry out their work effectively. The Heritage Officer network supported through Local Authorities and the Heritage Council, do immense work but are underfunded and we need to increase the number of biodiversity officers around the State."

(CD/MH)