The three core aims of the River Basin Management plan are to reduce and prevent pollution, to let more rivers run free and restore their natural ecosystem functions, and continued investment in water infrastructure.

Malcolm Noonan has described efforts by some countries to weaken the EU’s Nature Restoration Law as making a mockery of the democratic process.

Pairc Naisiunta na Mara, comprising 70,000 acres of land and seas, is now Ireland’s largest national park.

The Green Party minister said the polarised conversation between farmers and climate was ‘starting to level out’.