Dr. Deirdre Lynn:

I will comment on some of the Deputy’s interesting intervention. Pollination corridors are important in an urban setting and equally so across the country. We need this green architecture across agricultural systems as well and it is important that we maintain our hedgerows. We have a heterogenous landscape. We are a farming nation, which I understand, and we need to produce food but we also need to make space for nature and to allow species to be able to move across the landscape.

Under the auspices of the next CAP strategic plan, I hope, therefore, that much more space will be made for nature in agricultural systems and that these types of connections will be made, especially in the face of climate change. Species may have particular areas that they live in because of a specific climate envelope, and if that is shifted, then species may also need to shift. Species must be able to move through and permeate the landscape, so it is important that we have all these collectivities and green architecture in place.

At the local level in urban areas, regarding embracing the pollinator plan, it has been encouraging just to see the increased level of awareness. I also noticed that along all the motorways there are little signs for bees. I drove up and down from Wexford recently, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, is leaving the verges of the roads uncut for much of the summer to facilitate pollinators. It is great to see that as well. As I said, we provide funding to the heritage and biodiversity officers for local actions. Many of the actions that are funded relate to pollinator actions.

Turning to the reafforestation, we have one of the lowest rates of native woodland cover in Europe. I think it is running at less than 2% of native woodland, and this aspect must be addressed. Through the land use review process, we should look across Ireland and exploring where we should focus our efforts. I refer in particular to alluvium woodlands. Many alluvial soils in this context would benefit from being wooded. We need to protect our older oak woodlands and tackle invasive species. We must also expand our complement of native woodlands. Equally, regarding the monoculture of Sitka spruce plantations, I appreciate that it is a crop that we need for wood products, but these plantations must be sited in appropriate areas and certainly not on peatlands.

The land use review referred to in the programme for Government is a good opportunity for us to come together and to look across the landscape and examine how we live in this landscape, in particular, how people live and how we should be live in harmony with nature within the landscape. I say that because it is important for us all. No sector should be polluting. We really need to look at the common good in this regard. This is what is important and what should be considered. I am always very interested when I hear politicians talk about progress and growth, because I do not know what that means if it is not for the common good. What is progress? Is progress represented by certain big industries making lots of money? I do not think that is progress. Progress is when the common good is considered and that the fact that we all have the right to live in a healthy environment.

It is great to see the red squirrels on Killiney Hill; I saw one. It is always a joy to see that flash of red running in front of you. I saw one in Wexford last weekend as well and your heart just skips a beat. It is also great to see the pine marten population expanding and controlling the grey squirrel population. When we get things back in balance, sometimes nature starts to fix itself. Therefore, it is great to see the red squirrels-----