News

Minister Malcolm Noonan has secured Government approval for Ireland’s second “Prioritised Action Framework”

Date Released: Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Prioritised Action Framework

Minister Malcolm Noonan has secured Government approval for Ireland’s second “Prioritised Action Framework”. This document sets out Ireland’s priorities for habitat and species protection and restoration in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, and associated green infrastructure, in the period 2021-2027. 

In accordance with Article 8.2 of the Habitats Directive, Member States are required to assess the financing - including the co-financing - necessary to maintain or restore protected habitats and species listed in the EU Nature Directives. This is reflected in Prioritised Action Frameworks for each Member State, which in turn are to have regard to the available sources of funding under relevant EU funding instruments.

The Prioritised Action Framework 2021-2027 for Ireland has been informed by reports on: the ‘Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland’ submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, and on the ‘Status of Birds in Ireland’, submitted in 2019 to the European Commission, under Article 12 of the Birds Directive.

The Prioritised Action Framework was prepared in consultation with other Departments, and bodies under their aegis: the agriculture, forest, fisheries and aquaculture sections of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC); the Office of Public Works (OPW); Inland Fisheries Ireland, the EPA, Coillte, Local Authorities, and the Heritage Council. Farming organisations, environmental NGOs and the wider public were also consulted and there was an open public consultation period. 

The Prioritised Action Framework 2021-2027 can be seen here. 

The Prioritised Action Framework 2014-2020 can be seen here.