Green Party delivers EU Nature Restoration Law
Local Green Party representative, Iva Pocock, has welcomed approval of the EU Nature Restoration Law and said she is proud of the Green Party’s role in finally getting the law over the line.
“The EU Nature Restoration Law has been saved from the brink largely by the perseverance and leadership of Ministers for the Environment and Nature, Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan.
“The law has now passed its final hurdle despite powerful political headwinds and a targeted misinformation campaign,” said Ms Pocock. “Our Green ministers initiated a decisive letter signed by 11 Member States calling on other countries to join them in a move that was vital to getting the law over the line when many thought it was dead.
“Ireland has led from the front on nature restoration over the last two years, and that is down to the Green Party in Government. Our TDs negotiated hard to ensure cross-party support in Government, brought the overwhelming majority of the opposition with us, secured the votes of Irish MEPs at a critical time when we thought all might be lost, advocated for nature among our European colleagues, and delivered a Climate and Nature Fund of €3.15bn to support the implementation of the law here at home.
“Scientists, corporations, businesses and millions of citizens across Europe, have campaigned for the regulation as vital to ensure the restoration of biodiversity across the continent.”
The Nature Restoration Law sets targets for Ireland’s most rare and precious habitats including ancient woodlands, blanket bogs and species-rich grasslands. Restoring these areas will also benefit the endangered species that call them home, like the Hen Harrier, Curlew, Natterjack Toad and Marsh Fritillary Butterfly.
Further targets aim to improve the populations of grassland butterflies and farmland bird species, to enhance the structure and diversity of commercial timber forests, and to increase tree planting and green space areas in urban environments.
“Now Government’s job is to ensure that there are adequate funds and supports in place so that the people at the very coalface of nature protection are well paid and that their livelihoods are protected,” said Ms Pocock.