Chair of the independent advisory committee on nature restoration Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has expressed disappointment and surprise at the move by a farm body to pull its support from the committee’s report.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) withdrew its support for the final report, which was sent to the minister with responsibility for nature Christopher O’Sullivan earlier this week.
“I am disappointed and surprised to read of the INHFA’s retrospective withdrawal of support from the report and recommendations of the committee,” Ní Shúilleabháin told the Irish Farmers Journal on Friday evening.
“The report and recommendations were agreed by consensus by all members of the committee, with multiple drafts and edits considered over the past few months.
“The INHFA engaged constructively and collaboratively with all meetings of the committee since January 2025 and were very ably represented by Colm O’Donnell and Vincent Roddy,” she said.
Concerns
INHFA president Phelim Molloy has requested the removal of the association’s name and the names of its representatives from the final report, citing continuing concerns around article four of the nature restoration law and an absence of dedicated funding for the nature restoration process.
Ní Shúilleabháin said that, similar to all other committee members, the INHFA articulated its concerns with regards to the national nature restoration plan that is being drafted and the funding required to resource it.
“These issues were discussed at length in the committee and were brought up with Minister Christopher O’Sullivan in his engagements with the committee.
"The report thoroughly and comprehensively addresses these concerns, emphasising the priority recommendation that a separate fund be designated for nature restoration for the duration of the regulation to 2050.
These issues were discussed at length in the committee
“In addition, the committee highlighted the need to ensure that actions for nature restoration are led on State lands as a priority and that farmers, fishermen and foresters are supported in any voluntary nature restoration efforts,” she said.
The chair said that she is very proud of the work achieved by all members of the committee and is incredibly grateful to them for the collaboration, collegiality and respect they brought to meetings in order to reach agreement across varied and diverse perspectives.
The report is now with Minister O’Sullivan for consideration and it will inform Ireland’s final nature restoration plan.
Read more
INHFA pulls support for nature restoration report
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Chair of the independent advisory committee on nature restoration Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has expressed disappointment and surprise at the move by a farm body to pull its support from the committee’s report.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) withdrew its support for the final report, which was sent to the minister with responsibility for nature Christopher O’Sullivan earlier this week.
“I am disappointed and surprised to read of the INHFA’s retrospective withdrawal of support from the report and recommendations of the committee,” Ní Shúilleabháin told the Irish Farmers Journal on Friday evening.
“The report and recommendations were agreed by consensus by all members of the committee, with multiple drafts and edits considered over the past few months.
“The INHFA engaged constructively and collaboratively with all meetings of the committee since January 2025 and were very ably represented by Colm O’Donnell and Vincent Roddy,” she said.
Concerns
INHFA president Phelim Molloy has requested the removal of the association’s name and the names of its representatives from the final report, citing continuing concerns around article four of the nature restoration law and an absence of dedicated funding for the nature restoration process.
Ní Shúilleabháin said that, similar to all other committee members, the INHFA articulated its concerns with regards to the national nature restoration plan that is being drafted and the funding required to resource it.
“These issues were discussed at length in the committee and were brought up with Minister Christopher O’Sullivan in his engagements with the committee.
"The report thoroughly and comprehensively addresses these concerns, emphasising the priority recommendation that a separate fund be designated for nature restoration for the duration of the regulation to 2050.
These issues were discussed at length in the committee
“In addition, the committee highlighted the need to ensure that actions for nature restoration are led on State lands as a priority and that farmers, fishermen and foresters are supported in any voluntary nature restoration efforts,” she said.
The chair said that she is very proud of the work achieved by all members of the committee and is incredibly grateful to them for the collaboration, collegiality and respect they brought to meetings in order to reach agreement across varied and diverse perspectives.
The report is now with Minister O’Sullivan for consideration and it will inform Ireland’s final nature restoration plan.
Read more
INHFA pulls support for nature restoration report
Farmers must be paid for nature restoration from new fund, Minister told
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