News

Ministers announce membership of Advisory Committee for Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan

Date Released: Friday, November 8, 2024

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, have today (Thursday 7^th November) announced the membership of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) on Nature Restoration.

Minister Noonan said:

“From the very start of the debate around the Nature Restoration Law, I’ve been clear that everyone’s voices will be heard, that decisions will be made on the basis of the best available evidence and that the development of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan will be co-designed with stakeholders in a spirit of collaboration, understanding and partnership. The wealth of experience on our Independent Advisory Committee will ensure that the Minister responsible will be well supported to deliver an ambitious, inclusive and impactful Plan that can empower all sectors to restore nature at scale.”

Minister McConalogue said:

“Farming and nature are connected with farmers and fishers being the custodians of much of our landscape and marine areas. It is critical that they are central to development of our national plan. We sought and secured important flexibilities under the regulation, such as recognising the contribution of state-owned lands and the voluntary nature of actions at individual farm level. Farmers and fishers have proven themselves to be supportive of improving our national biodiversity, provided they have their voice heard in such plans and the correct structures and supports are in place. The advisory committee will be important in contributing to this process.”

The Committee will be tasked with providing advice to the Minister on the content of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan, which is to be developed under the EU Nature Restoration Law. The Advisory Committee will also engage with the stakeholder participation process, and ensure that the Plan addresses the views of the public, key groups and sectors. In addition, it will be responsible for considering the outputs from technical, inter-departmental working groups across themes of Land, Sea, Towns and Cities, and Finance. The Minister will retain overall responsibility for the Plan, which will require an all-of-Government approach and Government approval.

The IAC will comprise of six members:

• Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (Chairperson)
  Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin is an award-winning science communicator who chaired the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, presenting its report and recommendations to the Government and the UN General Assembly. She is Associate Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics and a former European Young Leader, a group nominated to create a more equal, innovative and inclusive Europe.
• David Kerr
  David Kerr is a Farming for Nature Ambassador, farming a 70 hectare commercial dairy farm with 150 cows and a small flock of sheep in Ballyfin, Co. Laois. The farm is comprised of mixed land types including improved grassland, wet heavy land, three acres of woodland, a pond and cutaway bog. Twenty per cent of the land has been sown with MSS and clover.
• Linda Lennon
  Linda Lennon became CEO of Birdwatch Ireland in 2022. She previously worked as a senior civil servant for over 10 years, including CEO roles with the Olympic Stadium (London Stadium 185), The Royal Parks, and the independent Parole Board, in addition to various executive and non-executive director positions. This work saw her engage extensively with Ministers, Government Departments, MPs, Councillors, community groups and volunteers. She has a lifetime interest in wildlife and conservation.
• Norah Parke
  Norah Parke retired from the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation in 2023, where she served since 2005 as a policy officer with the shellfish sector. With her husband Malcolm, she ran a successful family seafood business in Donegal that specialised in the live transport of brown crab and lobster. She was also the vice-chair of the SFPA Consultative Committee until her retirement.
• Tasman Crowe
  Professor Tasman Crowe is Vice President for Sustainability at University College Dublin. Prior to this, he was director of the UCD Earth Institute and co-founder of a new interdisciplinary BSc in Sustainability. He is Chair of Ireland’s National Biodiversity Forum and chaired an advisory group to the Government on the expansion of Ireland’s network of Marine Protected Areas. His research characterises impacts of multiple stressors on marine ecosystems and the services they provide to society, including their cultural value.
• Joe MacGrath
  Joe MacGrath, a native of Nenagh in County Tipperary, was appointed as the first Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council in 2014 following the merger of the former North and South Tipperary County Councils. He held that position until his retirement in 2024. He previously held the positions of South Tipperary County Manager, North Tipperary County Manager, Galway City Manager and Director of Services with Kerry County Council. Joe was Chairperson of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) for the period 2016-2017 and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in 2024, having served on the Executive of the CCMA and the board of the LGMA on four separate occasions.