Mary Lou McDonald

Specific committments in the Programme for Government for Faster and Fairer climate action, with at least 8 % reduction in emissions per year

Inform Public Policy

Climate & Environmental Legislation • All future climate and environmental legislation should be subject to a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to assess its impact on jobs and on the environment. Ireland can no longer blindly sign-up to unachievable targets,…

• The lead agency for the development of all recreational routes must be the Department of Rural and Community Affairs and not two Government Departments as currently exists.::• The Walks Scheme must be extended by a further 40 walks, to bring the total to 120, worth €6m to…

• The CPO goodwill payment must be fully reinstated to €5,000 per acre to restore equity and fairness for the landowners impacted by the re-commencement of the national roads development programme.

• The NPF must acknowledge the importance of farming and vibrant rural communities and recognise the need for rural housing for farmers and their family members who have an intrinsic link with the rural community.::• The NPF must support the development of farm-scale and…

That consideration be given to the IWMA's suggested waste policy proposals for government.::To provide an overview of the current waste policy context, as well as suggested actions to ensure Ireland meets future EU recycling targets.

That any Programme for Government confronts the climate crisis with the same determination as efforts to tackle Covid-19, puts people fairer and faster climate action, including at least 8% annual reductions in emissions over the lifetime of the Government and passing the new…

That the next Government ensure that the proposed review into the security and sustainability of Ireland's energy supply (announced in late 2019) undertake an impartial and transparent assessment of Ireland's energy security through an appointed steering group, drawing on…

Ensure climate action and biodiversity form an integral part of the Programme for Government with the following key actions: increase funding for environmental sector and protection of nature; creation of a unified biodiversity and climate department under one cabinet minister;…

That the next Government would commit to and deliver fairer and faster climate action through a number of key policy areas: strengthening climate legislation and governance mechanisms, public transport and active travel, energy efficiency, renewable energy, a just transition for…

That the government will adopt and implement a Hen Harrier Threat Response plan that is compatible with EU and Irish law and is capable of restoring Ireland's breeding population of Hen harrier to historic levels

Encouraging a transition towards a more sustainable forestry model in Ireland. Including the need to plant the right trees in the right place as well as sustainable management. A strong focus of BirdWatch irelands is to see improved safeguards for biodiversity within the…

Increased funding for NPWS and eNGOs including BirdWatch Ireland to be included in next Programme for Government to reverse decades of underspend & seriously tackle biodiversity loss.::Imprint on the minds of elected officials the scale of the challenges for biodiversity in…

A sustainable built environment