Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will conclude as no other members have indicated a wish to contribute again. The local environment is incredibly important and we can see it deteriorating right in front of our eyes. We are all part of the global ecological web. There have been trends on the damage done in developing countries, mostly by the developed world extracting natural resources and often to the detriment of local environments and the people who live in those countries. The protocol is another very important small step in protection and encouraging the equity across the planet that we need.

I thank the Minister of State for bringing this matter to us this morning. As Deputy Higgins stated earlier, we look forward to bringing him before the committee again because we are aware of the work that is being done. Earlier I mentioned the marine protected areas, and we are happy to have the Minister of State before the committee to discuss them in next couple of weeks. We have significantly increased the number of marine protected areas from 2.5% up to 8%, and that is an important step towards the target of 30% we committed to in the programme for Government. We are interested in having the Minister of State before the committee to consider further the progress being made following a huge investment and restoration of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The national biodiversity action plan is an incredibly important document that feeds into biodiversity plans in local authorities. Another important local step is the creation in local authorities of the new post of biodiversity officer. All these developments are examples of the incredibly important work being done by the Minister of State's Department. I thank his officials for the work they have done and we look forward to welcoming him back very soon to discuss that at the committee. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their attendance this morning.