Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their contributions so far and for their presentation. We are here to discuss the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. One of many substantial proposals focused on structure, governance, individual Departments and a new national independent agency. We heard at previous sessions about the challenge of almost contradictory recommendations, in terms of establishing new silos, while at the same time bringing a whole-of-government focus to the issue of biodiversity. I would be interested to hear the witnesses’s perspective on what a governance structure that delivers a priority focus on biodiversity looks like. Do they believe it needs new agencies or Departments or does it involve greater interdisciplinary and interdepartmental work? What structures give life to that connection? Are they existing structures that need to work better or are they new structures? That is a big question we need to try to get to the bottom of. Dr. Bleasdale spoke about the important two years ahead. Deputy Bruton mentioned the challenge of carbon farming. A number of contributors have spoken about we reorient our land use strategy to incentivise and reward biodiversity and restoring nature. It is not within the gift of this Department, or any individual Department or Minister. How does the business of government work to deliver that? What are the building blocks? How does that type of work unfold at an institutional and departmental level? Do we have the structure and focus to deliver that? If not, what needs to change?