Ireland is home to approximately 815 species of flowering plants and about 80 native ferns, over 700 mosses and liverworts, 3,500 fungi, over 1,000 lichens and 1,400 algae. There are 32 terrestrial mammals, including ten bat species, and two seals and 24 whales and dolphins have been observed in Irish waters. Some 425 bird species have been recorded, about half of which breed here, and the Red Grouse, Irish Jay, Dipper and Coal Tit are races unique to Ireland. The Viviparous Lizard is Ireland's only land reptile, joined recently by the Slow Worm, which has been introduced in the Burren. We have three amphibians, the Smooth Newt, Common Frog, and Natterjack Toad. Ireland is home to many thousands of invertebrates, the most famous of which is the Kerry Slug, Geomalacus maculosus. Twenty-seven freshwater fish species are found in our lakes and rivers.
See The National Biodiversity Plan 
[3.42MB] for more information on how Ireland protects its biodiversity. An Interim Review of the National Biodiversity Plan An Interim Review of the National Biodiversity Plan [1.78MB] was published in November 2005. This review outlines the level of progress we have made in implementing the 91 actions of the National Biodiversity Plan and identifies the areas where further efforts are required.
Development of Second National Biodiversity Plan 2008. [68KB]
Guidelines for the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans [278KB] may also be of interest to you.