Convention on Biological Diversity:  Ireland

Overview of Ireland's Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Ireland's First National Report

"Ireland ratified the CBD in 1996.  A general point to note about ratification of that Convention - and of Conventions in general - by Ireland is that almost invariably Ireland does not ratify a Convention unless the measures required under it, and most particularly any legislation required, are already in place.  Therefore, when the Convention was ratified in 1996, the essential legislative and other measures required were already in place in this country.  However, it is vital to ensure the implementation of the Convention on an ongoing basis and enhance Ireland's commitment to the Convention and its implementation in this country."  There were already four interrelated ways which the Convention can be built upon in Ireland.  Those possibilities already in place were continued involvement with the CBD on the international and regional (through the European Union) levels, by making the different Government departments aware of the Convention's obligations, by ensuring that the objectives of the Convention are carried out through various legislation that is passed, and by developing a National Biodiversity Plan.

Ireland's implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity involves many different government departments and agencies within one large department; the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.  This Department has the most responsibility for the CBD and is responsible for preparing a National Diversity Plan.  This National Diversity Plan is intended to be an overview of the state of biological diversity in Ireland and outline the measures which are currently in place for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.  Before Ireland's adoption of the Convention, the strategies and plans that the CBD calls for now were developed under the Wildlife Act of 1976 and through other conventions that the country has ratified.  What this Convention calls for is a strong, singular plan to protect the country's biodiversity, which is, of course, the National Diversity Plan.  The first draft of the Plan was drafted by the Heritage Policy and Legislation Division and sent to other Government Departments, relevant organizations, and NGOs for approval and suggestions of items that could be added.  The intention of the Plan is to draw together information for a general overview of biodiversity in the country.

Ireland's Second National Report

Since the submission of the First National Report, there have been some changes relevant to Ireland's conservation and sustainable biodiversity use.  Ireland's primary wildlife and biodiversity legislation (Wildlife Act, 1976) had been amended in 2000.  The amendment "gives specific and explicit functions to the relevant Government Minister to ‘promote the conservation of biological diversity’; provides the legal basis for the designation and permanent conservation of the network of nationally important biodiversity sites (Natural Heritage Areas); includes provisions required to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA); and introduces a variety of new measures and enhances many existing ones for the conservation of wildlife species and their habitats."  Also, a Biodiversity Steering Group to discuss focal points between Government Departments had been established.

Ireland's National Diversity Plan was nearing completion as of the date the Second National Report was published and aimed to integrate itself into all sectors of the Government.  In addition, greater effort to recognize and classify almost every specie of plant and animal was undertaken in hopes of conserving all species, not just the popular and well-known ones.  The report states, "Despite the slow progress in the management of the natural environment, it is concluded that aspects of the natural heritage are being better resourced than ever before”.

Also, "Since 1998, major progress has been made in the conservation of protected areas. Legislation is now in place for the designation and conservation of networks of sites of European as well as of national importance.  The bulk of the sites considered to be of European significance have now been afforded statutory protection.  A major programme, involving protected areas, commonage framework plans, and monitoring is now underway to address the serious problem of overgrazing by sheep in some upland areas.  In the case of forestry, a number of significant initiatives which should benefit biodiversity have been introduced in the context of Sustainable Forest Management.  These include a specific Biodiversity Woodland Scheme, Forestry and Biodiversity Guidelines and a research programme on forest biodiversity."

Thematic Report on Alien and Invasive Species

According to this report, not all efforts have been exhausted in finding and identifying alien species of flora and fauna.  Only efforts to keep track of the major alien and invasive species (the ones that can do the most damage) have been implemented.  Alien and invasive species in all sectors of the environment - plant life, animals, aquatic plants, and marine life.  Some species, like the Canadian Waterweed, are abundant in Ireland's waters and are not harmful, but other species, like the American Mink and the Zebra Mussel, can pose serious threats to indigenous species. 

No single overall policy on alien species exists as yet, but the draft national Biodiversity Plan contains a commitment to review the issue of alien species and to prepare a comprehensive strategy.  Specific policies relating to aspects of alien species exist in some cases, like in relation to the control of alien insects and diseases relevant to forestry.

More resources - both human and monetary - are needed to determine the full impact that alien and invasive species have on Ireland.  As of now, there just is not a comprehensive report on every alien specie introduced to Ireland's land.

National Thematic Report on Forest Ecosystems

According to this report, much effort has been made to assess and report on the status of Ireland's forest ecosystems.  Officially, "The Forest Service is the forest authority in Ireland and is responsible for overall forest policy, legislation, administering grant aid, forest research, production of forest statistics etc.  The Republic of Ireland has 9% forest cover, 84% (non indigenous plantation conifer) and 16% broadleaf. The percentage of semi-natural forest is low. The most valuable portion of the latter has legal protection as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)."  There are adequate resources being devoted to the conservation and biodiversity of Ireland's forests, probably because the forest covers less than 10% of the entire country. 

The report states, "Under the Native Woodland Scheme various measures are intended to draw together a wide range of management experiences and scientific, indigenous and local information with the expressed purpose of improving practices with regard to native woodlands and related biodiversity. These include a network of Monitoring Sites whereby different management approaches in various native woodland types can be assessed; the development of a Native Woodland Manual as a depository for relevant research in the area; and other measures such as professional conferences, training courses and workshops.  Forest Biodiversity Guidelines have also been published."

Funding

As seen from the above outlines of Ireland's First and Second National Reports, and their Thematic Reports of Alien and Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems, Ireland is well on its way to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity fully.  To be able to implement conservation programs, Ireland receives financial support from European Union sources, like the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.  According to the EC CBD Implementation website, "The bulk of Community funding is provided through the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, both of which are relevant to the pursuit of environmental and biodiversity objectives.  Priorities for Community funding and definition of the level and duration of Community support are set in plans known as the Community Support Framework. In addition, the Cohesion Fund, which was established under the Maastricht Treaty, applies to those Member States with GDP lower than 90% of the Community average (namely Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal) finances investment projects in the fields of transport infrastructure and the environment."

Irish Red Deer

Analysis of Implementation at Multiple Levels

In Ireland:

The Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands's mandate is to "foster, promote, conserve and present culture and heritage in the broadest sense, and to provide institutional and other arrangements which will assist in their support, development, conservation and presentation."  Some of their specific commitments are listed as followed:

• the conservation of a representative range of ecosystems and the maintenance and enhancement of populations of flora and fauna in Ireland
• the implementation of the Wildlife Act, 1976, and of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) regulations, 1997
• the designation, control and supervision of Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, having particular regard to the need to consult with interested parties
• the preparation of a National Plan under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the putting into effect of the necessary arrangements for ensuring its implementation; the management, maintenance and development of National Parks and Nature Reserves; and 
• the development of policy in relation to issues such as protected areas, including national parks, and biodiversity related matters

To implement these commitments, within the Department itself, the management of the natural heritage of Ireland is the part of the responsibility of Duchas, the Heritage Service, which contains four divisions:  National Parks and Wildlife, National Monuments and Historic Properties, Waterways and Engineering Services, and Education and Visitor Services.  The National Parks and Wildlife division is responsible for the conservation and management of the natural heritage.

Within the National Parks and Wildlife division lies these three administrative units:  Parks and Reserves Unit, Species and International Unit, and Countryside Management Unit.  The Parks and Reserves Unit is responsible for the administration of all lands acquired by the State for nature conservation purposes.  The role of the Species and International Unit is to implement several pieces of conservation legislation, including, but not limited to:  Wildlife Act, 1976; EU Birds Directive; CITES; Ramsar Convention; and the Bonn Convention; the Berne Convention.  The Countryside Management Unit is responsible for designating areas as Special Areas of Conservation and the protection of those areas.

As is evident from the many departments and divisions within the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, many steps have been taken to implement conservation and biodiversity legislation.  Though it seems that every aspect of Ireland's nature is covered for protection and conservation, it could be difficult to coordinate all of those different divisions of the larger Department in order to ensure the protection and biodiversity of Ireland's nature.

In the International Arena:

Being a member of the European Union affords Ireland cohesion with the rest of the European Union member states to not only gain resources in implementing the CBD, but also to fully participate in the international arena with regards to the Convention.  The EC CBD Implementation website has comprehensive listings describing what actions have been undertaken to implement the CBD in the European Union as a whole.  Their words, as follows: 

• conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
• sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources;
• research, identification, monitoring and exchange of information; and
• education, training and awareness.

• conservation of natural resources;
• agriculture;
• forestry;
• fisheries;
• regional policies and spatial planning;
• transport and energy;
• tourism; and
• development and economic cooperation.

Capacity Building:

Ireland has done very well in building up resources to analyze species of flora and fauna and to implement the CBD.  They receive funding from the EU, as well as budgeting money from their own country.  Whenever putting together a National Report or a Thematic Report, surveys are sent out to many government divisions dealing with wildlife and conservation, as well as many NGOs.  Many surveys are never sent back to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, which only impedes the capacity-building process. The Department tries in every way to get input from different organizations that are concerned with the environment in different ways, but if these organizations do not respond, then their opinions cannot be represented in any of the Reports.  What still needs to be accomplished, however, is a more comprehensive list and description of every type of flora and fauna that is found in Ireland, and whether it is an alien specie or not.  To do that, though, requires much time and effort from workers and volunteers, which Ireland does not have enough of.  In order to implement the CBD to its fullest capacity, more people and, consequently, more funding is needed.  Ireland has gotten off to a very good start to building all of the resources that they need, though.

Analysis of Implementation Contributions by Stakeholders

The state and local governments have done much to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity.  Since they are directly responsible for their implementation's successes and failures, it is in their best interests to make sure that the CBD remains a priority in the legislation.  They've certainly succeeded in passing multiple laws on conservation and for keeping their National Reports and Thematic Reports mostly up-to-date.  Being a member state of the European Union has also greatly helped the state and local governments implement various programs for conservation, as the EU funds much of their efforts.  Ireland has clearly contributed much manpower, time, and energy in conserving much of Ireland's natural habitat.

Environmental and non-environmental non-governmental organizations have also played a huge role in the implementation of the CBD.  They raise awareness of the need for conservation and of the issues through public education, lobbying, projects, publications, field trips, and campaigns.  According to the First National Report, a number of NGOs are involved with awareness raising relevant to biodiversity.  "Birdwatch Ireland is concerned with awareness raising on wildlife conservation, focusing on birds.  The National Association of Regional Game Councils is involved in research and conservation of wildlife species and habitats and in education, particularly in relation to game species.  The NARGC launched the Irish Habitat Conservation Stamp Programme 1997-1998.  The purpose of the programme is to raise funds for the conservation of wildlife habitats in Ireland and Europe, in particular wetlands through the sale of a conservation stamp and limited edition artwork.  The Irish Wildlife Trust is concerned with conservation of native fauna and flora, and highlights threatened or vulnerable species and habitats.  The IWT founded the National Conservation Education Centre, which holds field-based courses in nature conservation for schools and colleges.  The Irish Peatland Conservation Council focuses on peatland conservation, and, in addition to its campaigning role, provides educational material for schools and is involved in teacher training.  An Taisce - The National Trust for Ireland, while its focus is not primarily on nature conservation, organizes field trips and campaigns for the protection of wildlife habitats."

There are so many other NGOs that are involved with the conservation and biodiversity of Ireland in some way and it would be too lengthy to mention them all here.  Please look at page 100 of the First National Report for more information on other organizations if interested.

While I did not directly come across any information relating business and industry to the CBD, I am sure that there is legislation that businesses must comply with in order to impact the environment as little as possible. 

Again, while I did not directly come across any specific partnerships between the government and various organizations in my research, the NGOs and the government must support each other's efforts in order to implement the CBD to its highest capacity.  Without the work of one another, there could not be the great amount of funding or conservation awareness in the public to the degree that there is today.

Serious Issues and Emerging Concerns

Like in every other country, Ireland's biodiversity is under threat due to habitat loss, pollution, introduced alien and/or invasive species, disturbance and other factors.  The only way to counter these threats is to make sure that the CBD is fully implemented by providing more funds for conservation, as well as recruiting more people to work for the conservation and biodiversity of Ireland's species.  To see a more comprehensive listing of endangered sites in Ireland, click here.

27 March 2003

Copyright © 2002 by Erin O'Connor.  All rights reserved for all original material in all media.