Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is the statutory authority for nature conservation in Ireland, with a particular focus on implementation of national, EU and international legislation, plans and policies, in particular the Wildlife Acts, the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, and the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) within the Ministry is primarily responsible for formulation and implementation of policy and legislation relating to nature conservation and biodiversity.