Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The protocol is not directly related. Many of the pharmaceutical companies we are speaking about are situated in the Cork area. There is very good movement on biodiversity in Cork city and county. The local authorities in Cork have appointed their own biodiversity officers and the Department is supporting the roll-out of further biodiversity officers throughout the country. There will be plenty of support for communities. It is very important with regard to urban biodiversity. The Deputy deals a lot with housing issues. It is very important that we not only build housing units but that we have biodiversity-rich communities in urban areas. This can be achieved. There is no doubt the appointment of biodiversity officers in Cork city and county will be of huge benefit to those communities. Having biodiversity action plans at a local level provides a great opportunity. There has already been significant work in Cork city and county on urban biodiversity. I hope this answers the Deputy's question. Specifically with regard to this protocol it will impact on many of the pharmaceutical companies that are based in the greater Cork area and west Cork. It will have a positive benefit for all.