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Biological diversity- the variety of life on Earth- is experiencing serious and accelerating losses. This National Biodiversity Plan sets out the framework through which Ireland will provide for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity over a five year period. Under fifteen themes and sectors, it details actions which will be pursued to achieve this objective. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in 1992. Ratified at this stage by some 180 countries it is pre-eminent amongst nature/biodiversity-related conventions, both in terms of its widespread support and its comprehensive scope. It represents the charter within which nature conservation and other issues relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity must be addressed on a worldwide basis. By becoming a signatory in 1992 to the Convention Ireland undertook to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. This is a function which I, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, have particular and explicit responsibility for unde