Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Lysaght for attending the committee to outline his views on the Bill and for outlining for the committee the role of the data centre and its importance to the sustainability of our wildlife and biodiversity. I realise now that I had reason to engage with the data centre a while ago and I have a little story to tell in a moment in that regard. Dr. Lysaght welcomes the fact that the Bill will contribute to a modern consent process and streamline the current system into a single environmental impact assessment. He states biodiversity and nature are a unique national asset. We acknowledge that and must contribute in whatever way we can to a sustainable environment. I agree that the data centre should not be seen as an impediment but rather as an information provider for those who make decisions regarding any development that may happen, both in regard to the Bill under discussion or planning in general.

I had reason to contact the data centre a while ago because I was lucky enough to see a pine marten in my area, Portlaw. I was amazed to see him cross my path one day when I was driving. I thought at first it was a fox, but then I realised it was a pine marten and contacted the data centre. When I did, I found out about the MISE - mammals in a sustainable environment - project, which is investigating and collecting data on the habitats of pine martens. One of the areas being studied was the area in which I was living. I had not known that and was delighted to discover the data centre was based in WIT and to hear of all its good work. I commend the centre and I now get the odd e-mail to do with the atlas of mammals and the number of sightings. I commend the centre also on the excellent work it does in collating the reports of sightings. Since I reported my sighting of the pine marten, I have reported a couple of sightings of the pygmy shrew. I wonder if the Chairman has ever seen one, but I have seen it in my area a few times. The work of the centre raises our awareness and alerts us citizens to our environment and is doing excellent work nationally and in WIT.

I understand the Marine Institute has a significant technical role in managing the marine and all that goes with it. Does the data centre have much of a role in the area of aquaculture? For example, if people are developing aquaculture projects, do these projects have an impact on our existing biodiversity? If people are bringing in oysters or mussels or whatever that are not native to a particular area, does the data centre have a role to play or does it just provide the data? What is the centre's role in the planning process for such projects? Do the local authorities or An Bord Pleanála contact the centre for information when developing a development or action plan in regard to marine development? Do they seek information from the data centre?