News

Minister O’Sullivan launches nationwide ‘Community Conversations’ on Nature Restoration

Date Released: Thursday, September 4, 2025

The public is being invited to get involved in a national dialogue on restoring nature in Ireland and what it means for their local area. The outcomes of these dialogues will be shared with the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration, which has been tasked with making recommendations to the Minister on the development of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.

Launched today (Thursday September 4th) by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, the initiative will see ten events held across the country in September and October. The events will be led by an independent team of expert facilitators using participatory engagement techniques. Attendees will be invited to envision the kind of natural environment they want for the future, explore what the Nature Restoration Law means for their region and share perspectives on how it could be delivered. Full details of the events are on RestoreNature.ie/get-involved.

“I’m delighted that the public will have the opportunity to contribute to the national dialogue on nature restoration through this independently-led process,” said Minister O’Sullivan.

I have no doubt that communities are way ahead of us all in their thinking and there are undoubtedly lots of brilliant ideas just waiting to be unearthed to help restore our wildlife and they habitats they depend on. I’m committed to ensuring that Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan works for people as well as nature, so it’s essential that the recommendations I receive from the Independent Advisory Committee are grounded in real world experience. I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.”

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Chair of the Independent Advisory Committee, said:

The public is being invited to get involved in a national dialogue on restoring nature in Ireland and what it means for their local area. The outcomes of these dialogues will be shared with the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration, which has been tasked with making recommendations to the Minister on the development of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan.

Launched today (Thursday September 4th) by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, the initiative will see ten events held across the country in September and October. The events will be led by an independent team of expert facilitators using participatory engagement techniques. Attendees will be invited to envision the kind of natural environment they want for the future, explore what the Nature Restoration Law means for their region and share perspectives on how it could be delivered. Full details of the events are on RestoreNature.ie/get-involved.

Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall Ó Donnchú, said:

“In recent years, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has substantially increased its efforts around public engagement. The benefits are evident – not just in the enhanced relationships with communities and individuals in our shared goal of protecting nature, but also in the collaborative design and implementation of the work we do together. We know that people must be at the heart of the solution for nature and we’re looking forward to hearing what communities have to say.”

Further Information

The Community Conversations are being facilitated by a team of independent delivery partners – ACT and Hometree – on behalf of the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Their goal is to ensure communities have a welcoming and constructive space to share the local knowledge that is so important for shaping Ireland's future nature policy.

Full details of events are available on RestoreNature.ie/get-involved

  • September 14th – Lahinch, Co. Clare – focus on coastal ecosystems
  • September 25th – Iveragh, Co. Kerry – focus on upland ecosystems
  • October 2nd – Killybegs, Co. Donegal – focus on marine ecosystems
  • October 5th – Askeaton, Co. Limerick – focus on agricultural ecosystems
  • October 11th – Carlingford, Co. Lough – focus on upland and coastal ecosystems
  • October 18th – Ballyforan, Co. Roscommon – focus on peatland ecosystems
  • October 28th – Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow – focus on urban ecosystems
  • October 30th – Phibsboro, Co. Dublin – focus on urban ecosystems

The two online events will also be held towards the end of October. Details of these will be published on RestoreNature.ie in due course.