National parks to be expanded under new biodiversity plan 

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan and NPWS scientific officer Deirdre Lynn. File picture: Iain White Photography

National parks are to be expanded and enhanced while action on wildlife crime is to be strengthened under the new National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP).

The NBAP aims to protect and restore nature across the country and is the first biodiversity plan to be backed by legislation, with legal requirements for public bodies.