Making Ireland's Development Sustainable (2002) is a five-year review of the original 1997 strategy, and takes account of the country’s earlier significant economic growth, and changing population, consumption and settlement patterns. Overall strategic policy priorities directly related to environment and nature comprise reducing eutrophication of inland waters, protecting the urban environment particularly from transport-related pressures, controlling greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity and natural resource protection. The sustainable development strategy is drawn up in the context of the 6th EAP, and its key environmental priorities.

The National Biodiversity Plan addresses the pressures of human influence on Ireland’s biodiversity, and acknowledges the need to combine efforts with a nature conservation policy and the issues of general heritage. With regard to environment and health, the strategy targets water quality, and while it is building on recorded improvements in river and bathing water, it equally prioritises local contamination of groundwater and the tendency to eutrophication of tidal waters. Reference to the EU Water Framework Directive is paramount.