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

The mitigation issue is a hugely important point. We are seeing the impacts of coastal erosion and rising sea levels across the country. It is critically important that we address the issue strategically because it is happening now. In regard to biodiversity officers, we are making good progress. We started the scheme with The Heritage Council this year. It is our intention to have a biodiversity officer in every local authority by the end of 2024. Having that in place is hugely important. Cork obviously has always been different. It has had a biodiversity officer that it funded through its own resources. There will be one in Cork city and in Cork county, which is great. The critical thing, as I mentioned on Deputy Bruton's question, is the interdisciplinary approach that having a network of biodiversity officers working towards the national biodiversity action plan will lead to. Whatever happens with the nature restoration regulation, given that urban environments are going to be included in it, if that is the case and that article is there, there is an opportunity for nature-based solutions in urban areas. There is a huge potential and we are delighted with the scheme so far. There has been great interest in it. We will have a fully connected network of biodiversity officers by the end of 2024.