Noisy machinery, gravel dredging — and ultimately wildflowers and birdsong. This project merges profit with rewilding

Some of the most important clauses and ambitions for nature contained within the Nature Restoration Law are now gone

In a repeat of last summer, meteorologists in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece have warned of ominous conditions 

The nature restoration proposal was finally adopted after frenetic negotiations and last-minute switching of votes by some MEPs in the European Parliament

Fine Gael’s MEPs have signalled that they will vote for the nature restoration proposal in direct opposition to the EPP’s position

One of the most crucial votes in the history of the European Parliament takes place this week, with the future of nature and biodiversity at stake on the continent, writes Pádraig Hoare, Environment Correspondent

If free fares would only stimulate a 1% reduction in motor vehicle trips, as the NTA concluded, then such an initiative would not be worth the candle

Marine bill currently going through the Oireachtas aims to cement the country's ambition to protect 30% of its maritime area by the end of the decade

Despite the 44-44 deadlock in the environment committee, it will go to a full vote of the 705 MEPs in the week beginning July 10

Environment committee MEPs split down the middle on vote

Biodiversity Minister Pippa Hackett's description of Michael Collins as an organic farmer saw the Independent TD demand an apology.

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has said the government will not be using compulsory purchase orders to buy peatlands from farmers in order to “rewet” them.

Senator putting herself forward for selection for the European Elections 

A margin of zero kept landmark legislation alive after a European Parliament environment committee vote was tied 44-44

The Parliament’s environment committee voted 44 in favour and 44 against, parity meaning the motion to reject the law was unsuccessful

There is a certain Orwellian genius at pitching a sector that commercially exploits livestock from birth until they are slaughtered into the defenders of these same animals.

Environment committee MEPs split down the middle on Nature Restoration Law vote on Friday

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said a solution to the high energy consumption of data centres is to make sure that they are powered through renewable energy, as opposition TDs questioned the Government’s belief in climate science.

A climate and a nature restoration fund "will restore nature, stimulate rural and coastal economies, and provide much-needed public goods such as warmer homes, renewable energy infrastructure, and better public transport," the Environmental Pillar said.

Trying to package rural Ireland into one neat little box will fail and deep down those vying to establish a rural party must know that.

Commissioner for the Environment and Oceans Virginijus Sinkevičius said he would meet resistant MEPs 'to consider further flexibility' around rewetting of peatlands

Irish MEP Sean Kelly has broken with his fellow EPP members, with the Fine Gael MEP saying: 'I don’t believe you should walk off the pitch'

That so many people are enthusiastic about restoring nature is grounds for hope. We must not let the scaremongering of a minority derail this democratic process

Farmers are fearful of proposed EU environment laws, European commissioner for financial stability Mairead McGuinness has said, but they are “crucial” to restore nature.

European People’s Party, which represents Fine Gael, left negotiations last week on the Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

The following is a political statement issued this week by the Rural Independent Group of TDs in the Dáil. The headline went: Government Secret Plot to Massacre Our Precious Cows.

Nature Restoration Law

MEPs from political groupings other than the EPP claimed on Thursday that they have reached a compromise deal with enough support to pass a Parliament committee vote on June 15

It will "reflect recent growth, focus on market development, current challenges, and future potential".

European People’s Party, with which Fine Gael is aligned, claimed proposed Nature Restoration Law was 'an attack on European agriculture, forestry, and fisheries'

Michael Collins accused Pippa Hackett of 'spreading mistruths' about him

Labour's Alan Kelly said if Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil did not want the European Commission's proposed Nature Restoration Law to pass, they should bring down the Government

Rewetting ostensibly means bringing back a natural water flow and saturating peatland in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The increased focus on the role of ponds in biodiversity comes against a background of growing controversy over a proposed European Union nature restoration law that includes the rewetting of previously drained land now in agricultural use.

While efforts at EU level to push through a Nature Restoration Law are being stymied at every turn, is it instead our dysfunctional political process that’s in need of restoration?Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil this week that aspects of the ...

Mr Varadkar said in the Dáil earlier this week that so-called 'rewetting' of land on a large scale would be going too far

Farm organisations met with Government this week to "drive home key farming messages".

Peatland restoration is a key part of what needs to be done to avert the worst extremes of climate catastrophe and biodiversity collapse

How on earth can we ask farmers to make long-term commitments for nature when the State itself seems to have no interest?

The study's lead author said: "To make matters worse, many of the animal species that are thought to be non-threatened from extinction, are in fact progressively declining."

The lack of winter snow and the high summer temperatures have resulted in a record loss of ice from glaciers in the Alps

In Europe, it is estimated that the area of protected habitats in need of restoration is at least 259,000 km2, around half the size of terrestrial Spain

The proposed Nature Restoration Law is a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. 

There has been significant concern in the Irish farming community about the amount of land that could be impacted by EU Nature Restoration Law proposals