I appreciate time being allocated to statements on National Biodiversity Week. I sincerely thank its organisers, the Irish Environmental Network, for putting on so many incredible events the length and breadth of the country. It really puts biodiversity at the forefront and gives it a platform, which is something we do not do often enough. Considering the crisis we are in, we need to do more of it. I commend the Irish Environmental Network on doing that, supported by my Department. I urge everybody, right across Ireland, to go to a national park or nature reserve or attend one of the fantastic events taking place to learn about and appreciate nature. I guarantee that nobody who does so will regret it. National Biodiversity Week is an opportunity to showcase actions being taken to engage with some of the brilliant projects that are being delivered by groups large and small to promote biodiversity. Each of them has a positive impact. The breadth and scope of the activities is always breathtaking and it is heartening to see the list of events grow year on year. While my role as Minister of State has given me an increased insight into, and appreciation of, the challenges that have yet to be overcome, I have also been honoured to see at first hand much of the fantastic work that is being done all across the country. I have great hope for what can be achieved. I have had the opportunity to visit towns, villages and groups and see the projects and programmes being undertaken. I have been humbled and inspired by what I have seen, heard and learned from them. That work can only be achieved with support and I am proud the Government has backed and continues to back environmental ambitions. The work delivered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is key to supporting biodiversity in Ireland. Through successive budgets, Government investment in the NPWS has increased year on year, with the core budget allocation for 2026 rising, for the first time, to more than €100 million. That increased investment has enabled substantial recruitment across all levels of the NPWS. Its staff are part of the community across the country. They are a visible team working tirelessly to achieve the mandate of the NPWS, which is to protect nature. It is a simple statement but a complex ambition to achieve. The NPWS can achieve practical results through front-line engagement on restoring habitats, raising public awareness, tackling wildlife crime, improving the condition of protected sites, tackling invasive species - the NPWS tackles invasive species on approximately 750 ha in the national parks annually - and building the capacity we need to meet the EU nature restoration law. Government funding has allowed the continuation of work at a large and small scale. I will now offer a quick summary of just some of what has been delivered. Our national parks and nature reserves are perhaps what people think of most when considering nature. They are invaluable resources for biodiversity but also for a myriad of other reasons, including well-being, employment, health, community and tourism, as well as nature. Work continues apace across all of our sites. In Glenveagh National Park, success in the delivery of the park woodland strategy is becoming evident as the natural regeneration of oak, birch and other woodland species gives life to woodland layers, which is a clear indication of habitat response to our efforts. Last year, I released a number of white-tailed eagle chicks back into the wild at Killarney National Park, marking the end of the current phase of the successful reintroduction project. These magnificent birds, once a striking element of Ireland's natural landscape, were driven to extinction on the island in the 19th century as a result of human persecution. Restoring this lost species to our skies is a significant step in restoring Ireland's natural heritage and will bring great benefit to Irish biodiversity. In Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, lreland's newest national park and our first marine park, the NPWS has already undertaken a biodiversity review and various ecological studies, including a review of seal population dynamics within the park, as well as surveys of various taxa, including fungi, lichen and seabirds such as puffins. In Wicklow Mountains National Park, our long-term biodiversity project, focused on the Glenasmole Valley, is using a suite of land management techniques, including extensive native woodland planting in deep gullies, blanket bog rehabilitation to restore heather and vegetation management, to increase biodiversity while also providing measurable benefits such as increased carbon storage, reduction in soil erosion, improved water quality and reduced flooding risk along the River Dodder. In the Burren National Park, we launched the NPWS discovery van, bringing nature, education and information directly to the heart of communities, schools and protected areas. It will be used as a year-round outreach tool, enabling NPWS guides to visit primary and secondary schools, offering environmental education linked to habitats, species and conservation. It will also attend festivals, community events and national fairs, raising awareness of NPWS's mission and supporting national campaigns and educational programmes around the country. In Wild Nephin National Park, we completed 220 ha of bog restoration at the Bangor Erris natural heritage area. This was completed in collaboration with an adjacent private bog restoration project, making it the largest blanket bog restoration project in Ireland to date. In Connemara National Park, the NPWS revealed a new and unique cultural and visitor experience - the Connemara Pony Heritage Centre. For generations, the much-loved Connemara pony has been recognised as Ireland’s native breed, and this exciting new experience will pay tribute to the Connemara pony’s valuable contribution to Ireland and Connemara’s heritage. In Brú na Bóinne National Park, work on the preparation of a masterplan for the new national park in Dowth is almost complete. The plan will enable strategic development of the park over the coming years and will adopt a holistic approach to developing a sustainable and innovative visitor experience and community resource while recognising the key remit of the NPWS to protect nature and promote and enhance biodiversity. In Glengarriff nature reserve we are working on a 100-year strategy for the Glengarriff woodlands to ensure its protection into the future. In the Glen of the Downs nature reserve the recent strategic purchase of more than 100 acres will see the conversion of commercial timber forestry into native woodland over time, utilising local seed sources, invasive species controls and techniques such as continuous cover forestry to enable a sensitive transition that protects vulnerable soils. The project will serve as a valuable example of best practice to support the delivery of key objectives under the nature restoration law to expand rare old sessile oak woodland - a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive - on public land. In Coole Park, the recent opening of a new bat roost on the grounds of the park, to protect the lesser horseshoe bat, involved the renovation of an old apple store on the grounds of the nature reserve. The renovation allowed for original features of the house to be retained, including its unique stonework and beautiful limestone slab floor. Alongside these conservation works, through funding approved by Government, my Department has also worked to maintain and upgrade a range of visitor services and trails across the national parks and reserves. These included the completion of a sensory trail in Connemara National Park; trail upgrades in Wicklow Mountains National Park, including at the hugely popular Spinc trail; footbridge upgrade works at Knocksink nature reserve; the redevelopment of the car park at Ballykeeffe nature reserve in Kilkenny; trail maintenance works at Diamond Hill and Ellis Wood nature trail; upgrade works at the education centre in Connemara National Park; funding towards the redevelopment of the car park and replacement of the roof at Coole park visitor centre; improvement works at Tóchar Daithí Bán trail in wild Nephin; reroofing of the visitor centre and a complete refit of the auditorium at Glenveagh National Park; and works at Dinis Cottage and Lord Brandon’s Cottage in Killarney, as well as fencing and trail maintenance works. The list goes on. That is a small sample of what National Parks and Wildlife Service does. The NPWS engages in strategic land acquisition both to support the continued growth and expansion of the network of national parks and nature reserves, as well as for conservation purposes. In 2025, the NPWS acquired more than 800 ha of land, including the acquisition I mentioned earlier of land in Wicklow, which will support the expansion of the Glen of the Downs nature reserve and the purchase of an additional 249 ha at Tievebaun, adjacent to Connemara National Park. I have spoken before about the publication in January 2024 of Ireland’s fourth national biodiversity action plan, NBAP. This plan represents a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. Reporting outputs have been significantly modernised through the launch by the NPWS and the National Biodiversity Data Centre of a biodiversity action plan progress tracker. This public-facing tracker dashboard provides transparency and data-driven insights into delivery of actions for biodiversity. The 2025 implementation report on the national biodiversity action plan shows that almost 80% of actions are either in progress or completed, with clear pathways for further action. In 2026, the peatlands and Natura community engagement scheme is continuing to expand and offer support to communities by providing funding of over €1.1 million to 53 community-led projects. The NPWS conservation measures programme continues to support projects on special areas of conservation and special protection areas in the Natura 2000 network, addressing threats and pressures to the qualifying interest habitats and species in these sites. One example being the Le Chéile don Dúlra - Together for Nature - biodiversity week festival in Glenveagh. The NPWS farm plan scheme continues to grow, engaging with farmers and landowners to support nature on the land, through encouragement, advice, and financial supports, with a goal of more than 500 farm plans in progress by the end of 2025. The local biodiversity action fund, LBAF, operated by the NPWS, continues to deliver funding fora wide range of projects across all 31 local authority areas. Many local authorities now have a biodiversity officer, thanks to the Heritage Council’s rollout of the biodiversity officer programme, and these officers are making a huge difference. Biodiversity is not just a topic for those directly involved in nature; it is interwoven with everyday life and decisions. It impacts people's lives. Getting this right means a positive impact for everyone, with green spaces for us all to enjoy, sustainable and healthy food systems, healthy ecosystems for flora, fauna, invertebrates, and cleaner air. I am glad to have the opportunity to publicly reaffirm my commitment, that of my Department and of Government, to continue working with colleagues across this House to ensure that due consideration and supports are given to biodiversity. Scientific monitoring and data analysis is required to inform national priorities, statutory functions and lreland’s engagement with EU nature policy and legislation. The NPWS continues to strengthen the scientific evidence base that underpins policy advice, regulatory decision-making and conservation delivery. We will obviously have the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties, COP, which will be a very important part of Ireland’s European Council Presidency, and we hope that the theme of our Presidency from that point of view will be nature restoration. Biodiversity Week is a celebration but also an opportunity to recognise the importance of strong ecosystems and biodiversity protections. The NPWS plays a vital role in conserving the country’s natural heritage, biodiversity and protected landscapes. A key aspect of the work of NPWS in its mission to protect nature is combatting wildlife crime, including illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and the disturbance of protected species. Wildlife crime undermines decades of conservation work. These are not victimless crimes; they directly harm our shared natural environment. The NPWS plays a lead role in addressing this threat, working alongside other enforcement partners, and is committed to working with relevant stakeholders and enforcement partners in bringing those responsible for wildlife crime before the courts. Total financial sanctions for 2020-2025 amounted to almost €600,000, and this very important work will continue to have a positive impact on our wildlife conservation. The NPWS also monitors compliance with wildlife laws, investigates reports of offences, and works closely with An Garda Síochána which is authorised under law to enforce wildlife legislation and with other State agencies, enforce protections. Public engagement and use of reporting mechanisms helps tackle issues such as illegal poaching, disturbance of nesting birds, and destruction of vegetation during the breeding and nesting period. Through these collective efforts with agencies such an An Garda Síochána, we ensure Ireland’s rich natural environment is preserved for future generations. The NPWS is progressing with an accelerated programme of restoration on protected raised and blanket bog special areas of conservation, SACs, and natural heritage areas, NHAs. Restoring these bogs will provide multiple ecosystem services such as reducing emissions, water and air quality improvements, flood mitigation and enhancing biodiversity. Since 2018, restoration works have been undertaken or are ongoing on 30 raised bog SACs and nine NHAs, with preparatory actions under way across a further 12 sites. To date, restoration works have been delivered on approximately 7,000 ha of protected raised bog across the SAC and NHA networks. In 2025, active raised bog national extent was reported as increased by approximately 122 ha, that is, 7% since 2018. This is the first time increases in extent have been reported since Ireland commenced assessing the conservation status of this habitat in 2007. The NPWS raised bog restoration programme has been fundamental to this achievement. These rehabilitation and restoration efforts will assist Ireland in reaching its national conservation target, to restore raised and blanket bogs within the SAC and NHA networks to a favourable conservation status. To finish, I wish to talk about the way forward. I have highlighted what we have done and it is extensive across the board. I am very proud of the team at National Parks and Wildlife Service in particular for how it has delivered at such scale. We need to learn from our successes in order to find a pathway forward. We know that in Ireland, habitats, species and nature in general are not in good condition and we need to reverse that. We need to learn from the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action, LIFE, and European Initiative Projects, EIP, which have been so important in paving the way for restoration and saving species - things such as the breeding waders EIP. Waders, such as the curlew which breed, across Ireland are in peril. However, in the midlands in particular, through European funding and funding from my Department, they have discovered ways of protecting these nesting birds, whether through predator control or headstarting, in collaboration with Fota Wildlife Park, and we are seeing it work. Now what we need to do is scale that up and do it on a nationwide basis. The reason we talk about it a lot is that it has been an extraordinary success. In the five or six years of Corncrake LIFE, we have seen the population of corncrakes increase by 55%, which is down to the hard work of the conservationists, ecologists and amazing farmers, including well over 200 in Belmullet, County Mayo, in Donegal and Galway who have participated in this. They have taken on board new ways of farming. They have seen a massive increase in corncrake numbers, but they have been incentivised to do it and rewarded for it. We need to replicate that model across Ireland. It is the same with LIFE on Machair, which is on a stunning, unique Irish habitat. In restoring it, there has been an added benefit for many other species. There is also the Tóchar project, which is a bog restoration project and I will talk about the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE Integrated Project for a few minutes because I see it as key to nature restoration on private land being done in a voluntary way. Any nature restoration on private land will be voluntary. The Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE IP has utilised development companies and LEADER companies in regional Ireland to administer farm plan schemes. For example, in County Galway there is the Dúlra Project. Farmers in the Dúlra Project might be in the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, or a farm scheme under which they are getting paid to restore peatland or help a species. On top of that, the same farmers and fishermen may be getting an additional payment by participating in the Dúlra Project. The same sheep or beef farmers in the area are being paid to remove invasive species like rhododendron or restore peat in national parks or on private land. That is a key model because everyone wins. Farmers might be getting paid under ACRES and might also be getting paid directly by the LEADER company to participate in the removal of invasive species or in peatland restoration. It is money going to the local economy and being spent in the local shops and the biggest winners are wildlife and habitats. That model needs to be replicated across Ireland. It is the future of Ireland's nature restoration plan and informs it. I fully support and am aligned with the recommendations of the independent advisory committee on nature restoration. We must start on our land first in our national parks and on Coillte and Bord na Móna land. We must support farmers, fishermen and foresters across the board to ensure that, if they volunteer to participate in nature restoration, they are paid. Fundamentally we must fund nature restoration. I have always committed to doing that and we will do it. Education is probably the most important tool we have for the future of Ireland's wildlife. I visited Knocksink in the Wicklow Mountains recently and the education facility there. I also met some of the NPWS team who go to schools to teach children about nature. It is extraordinary to see the response. Children are the best hope for the future of nature in Ireland. David Attenborough said that if children do not grow up learning and knowing about nature, they will not care about it. If they do not care about nature, they will not want to protect it and if they do not protect nature, who will? Our children are key. They are hungry to learn. I go to schools and visit classrooms. They soak up information, especially at primary school age. They know the length of a fin whale or the national distribution of curlews. They are hungry to learn and we need to tap into that because, if future generations care about nature, genuinely, the future of Ireland's wildlife and nature could be bright. I thank those who will contribute to the debate. I will not be here for the end of it, but I look forward to listening to views from across the House about what we can do this National Biodiversity Week to protect nature in Ireland.

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