Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to amendment No. 136, and also to amendment No. 201.

On amendment No. 136 specifically, Ireland declared a biodiversity emergency in 2019. Given the habitat loss and fragmentations from the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Ireland, this should be an objective of the national planning framework alongside the other objectives here to protect, enhance and, indeed, restore our biodiversity. What I am proposing here is fully aligned with what is happening at an international level where other countries are focusing more and more on biodiversity enhancement and not just protection. We can see that the new biodiversity net gain regulation in England, the proposed EU restoration law and all of these measures are taking place. However, the Minister of State is saying this is not necessary because we have the national biodiversity plan. Have I got that wrong?