Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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It is not unusual for the committee to go way over time because we are dealing with very serious issues and have very committed members. It is also because we have guests today who are so passionate and serious about trying to find solutions to biodiversity loss. They are to be immensely commended on the work they do and have done, as are their colleagues. There was some disappointment that some of them were not able to come in today. We have a very limited number of seats in the room and, unfortunately, not everybody could come. We extend our real and heartfelt thanks to all, both those present and those who are not, for their efforts and engagement today. I hope they will leave with a sense of how serious we are. Every member present also spoke very passionately about these issues. The challenge we have is to persuade people who are not in this room, including our colleagues in political parties across both Houses, that they need to take these issues seriously as well. It is only when everybody is on board with this information, which everybody in this room has, we will start to see the changes in policies that will lead to successful outcomes in respect of nature restoration and a reversal of biodiversity loss.

We are way behind time. I again thank Niamh, Elsie, Eleanor, Conor, Oisín and David for engaging with the committee.

We really appreciate it. Some of them have travelled from quite far away. I also thank parents and friends who have come and are sitting in the Visitors Gallery. They are obviously very welcome. We appreciate their efforts in making this piece of work happen as well. I remind everybody we have refreshments for our guests and committee members. I suspect that our guests will have to eat very fast because a tour of Leinster House has been organised.