Lack of funding and enforcement damaging environment, committee told

Professor Áine Ryall, from the Centre for Law & the Environment School of Law at University College Cork. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

A lack of political will, prioritisation, funding, access to justice, and enforcement historically has led to the degradation of nature and the environment in Ireland, the Oireachtas' Climate Committee has heard.

TDs and senators considering the recommendations of the first-ever Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity last year heard from a range of experts, who unanimously told the committee that the current fragmented approach towards environmental protection had to change.