Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I am quite disappointed that none of these amendments will be incorporated into the Bill. The Social Democrats said all along that we would be very constructive in opposition and that if there was an opportunity to work with the Government to get things done, we would be more than happy to do that. This is the first time I have put forward an amendment.

The amendments I am putting forward are simple ideas that are internationally recognised. As it would appear that the Minister also recognises the need for them, I am surprised that such simple concepts and amendments are not being incorporated into the Bill. I do not think that saying there is an issue because of time limitations is appropriate. This Bill will be in operation for quite some time and will direct and dictate where significant moneys will be targeted. At this stage, not to incorporate these very simple amendments is a real opportunity lost.

As Deputy Naughten said, we should not decide to fund, for example, a technological project without asking what the end result of it will be and its impact on climate emissions. We should be targeting those areas. The process should be competitive and we should expect the absolute best projects and results for our environment. The way the fund is currently structured means that will not happen.

To preclude any mention of biodiversity or nature in the Bill is symbolic and says we will continue with business as usual and silo those two issues. We will have electric vehicles and a technological response to climate change on the one hand, and on the other a biodiversity crisis to which we gave lip service last year because we declared a crisis that we are still not going to address. Very little funding is directed at addressing biodiversity, apart from very local projects.

Money is going towards pollinator plans, which are great but will not address the huge crisis facing this country, Europe and the planet. We have to put our money where our mouth and research is and where the science tells us it needs to go. That is not happening and, ultimately, the Bill will not achieve that unless we incorporate nature-based solutions.

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