Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. Many of the questions have been addressed. We have gone over the five minutes. I appreciate all our guests coming and giving their time. It is an incredible document and shows what happens through deliberative democracy. When people hear the evidence base, they come to very progressive conclusions. When we met Dr. Ní Shúilleabháin previously, she talked about the importance of having that balance of rural, urban and farmers represented at the citizens' assembly.

One of the questions I will ask, which she just touched on, relates to the fragmentation of the biodiversity issue across different Departments. The Minister and committee responsible for it also have one of the biggest crises facing the country, namely, the housing crisis. Many members of that committee, and I do not mean any disrespect, are so consumed by that issue they cannot give biodiversity the time and respect it requires. Dr. Ní Shúilleabháin has addressed that issue. Does she think biodiversity needs to be given that dedicated Department and ministerial responsibility so that the buck stops with somebody and a committee can give it the time that is needed?

My other question is around the issue of constitutional changes. The importance of the right to a clean, healthy and safe environment was touched on. I am very interested in parts c and d of that recommendation, and giving nature rights for its own intrinsic value that would have standing in legal cases. I am interested in hearing the views of Ms Jones and Mr. Joyce, as members of the citizens' assembly, on how they came to give that recommendation. Why do the other panellists think that is something we should give very strong consideration to?