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

The people are way ahead of the Government when it comes to protecting our environment and our natural heritage. I have seen it over many years in regards to groups such as the Kells Anglers which have been the custodians of the River Blackwater and look after its stock and quality.

In recent weeks, the communities along the River Boyne rallied in defence of it. In the space of a number of days, over 6,000 people in a small rural area joined an online campaign in support of the environment and the River Boyne. The "Save the Boyne" campaign now has over 8,100 followers. There is a planning application that will be judged on its own merits and I will not get into that. I commend the forum and its active members and the local angling clubs, community groups and businesses on their efforts and interest in protecting their environment and on protecting our inland waterways. It was something to be proud of and to be commended.

On their behalf, Government needs to work with these communities and support them. That goes for the Government's agencies as well, in terms of local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Irish Water and other authorities. From my experience as a public representative and working with these communities, they have a mixed experience of working with these agencies that have an official responsibility to protect our natural and built heritage.

On a related point, I raise the Hill of Tara. As the Minister of State knows, it is one of the richest archeological landscapes in Ireland. Over 230,000 people visit the Hill of Tara on an annual basis. I do not live far from it. Increasing numbers of people have visited during Covid-19. Where is the Hill of Tara conservation management plan? It is work in progress since 2018. I commend stakeholders such as the local Rathfeigh Skyne Tara, RST, group and the Friends of Tara group. It is clear what needs to be done to conserve the area, but also to enhance it in terms of public amenities, parking, toilet facilities and interpretive centres. There is significant opportunity which needs to be grasped. I encourage the Minister of State to provide an update and to ensure the work gets done.

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