01 November 2024
The Chairperson of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, has today warmly welcomed the Government’s response to the Citizens’ Assembly recommendations.
Commenting, Dr. Ni Shúilleabháin said: “I am delighted that the Government has responded in such positive terms to the report and recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly. It is heartening to see that, of the 159 recommendations, 134 are in progress, another 15 are already being implemented and just 10 are not being implemented. The Citizens’ Assembly has provided a comprehensive assessment of how the State should respond to the biodiversity crisis. Its 73 high-level and 86 sectoral recommendations have the potential to dramatically transform Ireland’s relationship with the natural environment.
But there is no doubt that this ambitious transformation agenda requires a fundamental change in how the State approaches the issue. I am pleased that the Government, and in particular Minister of State Malcolm Noonan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, have taken such a constructive approach to the recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly.
This response from Government, together with the earlier response from the Oireachtas Joint Committee, is a validation of the hard work by the members of the Citizens’ Assembly. As we approach the UN COP16 in Riyadh next month, the Government’s response provides a timely injection of optimism and a signal that, with the right political will, Ireland can play its full part in responding with urgency, leadership and ambition to the biodiversity crisis that confronts us all.”
Ends
Notes for the Editor
The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, which ran from April 2022 – January 2023, was formally established by way of resolutions of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. It was comprised of 100 members, including 99 members of the public, randomly selected from households across Ireland, and an independent Chairperson appointed by the Taoiseach.
At its final meeting on 21 January 2023, the Assembly voted on a series of propositions that were the culmination of careful deliberation and debate, informed by detailed input from experts, stakeholders and the general public. After deliberating on how the State can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss, the Assembly agreed 159 recommendations. These 73 high-level recommendations and 86 sectoral-specific recommendations were agreed through a mixture of consensus agreement and ballots.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, both the Oireachtas and the Government have now considered, and responded to, the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly.
- Report and Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss
- Government Press Release (31/10/2024)
- Government Response to the Citizens’ Assembly (31/10/2024)
- Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action Press Release and report responding to the Citizens’ Assembly (14/12/2023).
