Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, has formally received the final report from the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration (IAC).

The document, presented by Chairperson Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin on Wednesday 18 March, provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to guide the development of the forthcoming National Nature Restoration Plan.

The IAC consists of a multi-disciplinary group representing various sectors, including forestry, fishing, farming, academia, local government, non-governmental organisations, and statutory agencies. Over the course of 15 months, the committee held 15 meetings and collaborated with inter-departmental technical groups covering urban, land, marine, and finance themes.

A significant public engagement programme informed the report's findings, involving more than 1,000 participants. This included six "Leaders' Forums" focused on topics such as the marine environment and future farming, as well as 12 "Community Conversation" events designed to ensure local perspectives were prioritised.

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Minister O'Sullivan expressed his gratitude to the committee, stating: "I would like to sincerely thank Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and all the members of the Independent Advisory Committee for their incredible work over the past 15 months. They have done us all – and the natural world – a huge service. We can be very proud of the participatory, bottom-up approach they took to the development of their recommendations and the deep listening that they engaged with across sectors and communities."

He continued: "Now, it's my job to take their work forward. Over the coming weeks, I will be reading the recommendations in depth, engaging with colleagues across Government and working out the detail of how we use them. My goal is to develop an innovative, bold and ambitious plan to restore nature in Ireland and demonstrate how healthy ecosystems will benefit us all. I intend to publish the recommendations as soon as possible."

Dr Ní Shúilleabháin highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, saying: "Restoring nature in Ireland means working together – across sectors, disciplines and perspectives – and I'm proud that the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration has exemplified this collaborative spirit and unity of purpose in its work."

She added that it is essential for the voices of all communities to be reflected in what will be a "transformative policy" for Ireland's rivers, seas, towns, and lands.