Last week saw the publication of the periodic Article 17 report on the status of habitats and species in Ireland. It is done in six-year cycles of reporting. Since the 2019 report, unfortunately, things have deteriorated quite dramatically in terms of our habitats. There is some better news for many species but what is critical from the Government's perspective is that the funding that was been put into the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, over the last five-year cycle needs to continue. There are significant challenges throughout the country, let alone the fact that Ireland will have to embark on a national nature restoration plan and the demands that entails. Separately, €650 million of the climate and nature fund was allocated to nature restoration, but it has gone into metro north. That is most unfortunate. It was something we fought hard for in the previous Government and to allay the fears of farmers and farm organisations in being involved in this great nature restoration project. I am not calling for a debate on this but it needs to be prioritised by the Government. The report sees a deterioration of habitats right across coastal and peatland areas and the grassland deterioration of many important habitats throughout Ireland. Unfortunately, unless we put that investment in, we are going to see further deterioration in the next reporting cycle.

Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union in the second half of next year. It would be wonderful if we could start telling the good news stories because there are many. Many organisations, community groups, farmers, fishers and foresters are out working on the ground, trying to get involved in this great big nature restoration project. However, if there is not funding there to support them to do it, how can they be involved?

I urge the Government to support what is a really important task for the nation. This report certainly makes for sobering reading. However, it is hardly surprising, given where the State has come from over the previous 30 to 40 years. It is critical that this investment cycle continue and that the funding be found to support the nature restoration project.