Ireland had been granted previous derogations on the basis that water quality would achieve required standards, so the decision from Brussels is all the more baffling. Only two days after receiving confirmation of the derogation extension, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) published a report into the status of habitats and species in Ireland which are protected under the EU’s Habitats Directive. These are the most important habitats on a European level and include peatlands, flower-rich grasslands, sand dunes, ancient forests and submarine reefs. What makes this report so devastating is it shows the damage being done has yet to even stabilise: 51% of habitats are still "deteriorating". A chink of light in the NPWS report is the improving trends in some habitats such as raised bogs and hay meadows, as a result of targeted measures.

Source: Irish Examiner December 22, 2025 01:12 UTC