A proposal to hold a Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss in Ireland will be brought to Cabinet "shortly", according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
He said: "I do intend to bring to Cabinet shortly proposals for a Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity. I think it's absolutely critical that we move on this."
He made the announcement in the Dáil today, following a question from the Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan.
The Cork South West TD said Ireland was experiencing a "biodiversity crisis", which had left 54 bird species "red-listed" or threatened with extinction.
Green Party TD and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said the announcement was "very welcome news", describing it as a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
Elaine McGoff, the Natural Environment Officer with An Taisce, said: "We've been waiting almost three years for this to happen, it's time to give biodiversity the attention it clearly needs. Nature can't wait."
The Irish Wildlife Trust said the announcement was "good news", but added: "We need a date. It's nearly three years since the Dáil declared a biodiversity emergency ... but there have been few emergency actions in response."
BirdsMatter, the advocacy team at BirdWatch Ireland, also welcomed the Taoiseach's declaration, saying: "It's time for transformation on how we treat nature and wild birds in Ireland.
"This is an important and exciting opportunity to change the narrative, halt losses and restore nature."
Climate action campaigner John Gibbons said: "Once people grasp ever-accelerating collapse of nature in Ireland, expect genuinely radical recommendations."
Both the Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan and the Independent Senator Lynn Ruane have called for a Citizens' Assembly on drugs to be convened at the same time.
