Mr. Bill Callanan:

We fully endorse what the Senator is saying about the direction of travel and that awareness. I will give examples of where we are supporting this generally. We work with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and we are a significant contributor to the all-Ireland pollinator plan. We have funded somebody to work with the agriculture sector on pollinators in the general environment. Under our rural development programme we have a specific locally led project around the Kildare area for pollinators and their development at farm level. I fully agree that everybody is more aware of this issue and we need to continue that journey by building education and awareness. We are very open to providing whatever support and assistance we can in that direction. For example, on our campus in Backweston, which houses the authorisation process, we have had a new approach over recent years where we do not mow public areas in the centre for biodiversity reasons. I think "No-mow May" is the term used. It is great to see that. Even on our own campuses and farms we are a lot more focused on the achievement of biodiversity at all levels.