A proposal to hold a Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity will be brought to Cabinet “shortly”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Mr Martin said it was "absolutely critical" that the Government moves on the matter and "move with speed and conviction".
Mr Martin made the announcement in the Dáil on Wednesday, following a question from Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan.
“I do intend to bring to Cabinet shortly proposals for a citizens’ assembly on biodiversity,” Mr Martin said.
“I think it’s absolutely critical that we move on this and move with speed and conviction, and I intend to do that.”
Mr O'Sullivan said Ireland needed to act now and convene a Citizens' Assembly "because we need to start addressing this biodiversity crisis now".
The Cork South-West TD highlighted the loss of 81 per cent of Ireland’s wetland species over the past 50 years.
He said 54 individual bird species had been red listed, meaning they are endangered.
