Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. That was certainly an answer to a question, as they say, but not to this one as far as I can ascertain. I asked about gap analysis and whether the appointment of the biodiversity officer was at a sufficiently senior level that it could make a difference with the organisation. There is absolutely no doubt that the OPW, if it engages fully on this, stands to make an enormous difference not just in climate mitigation where it will have a huge role, particularly in respect of flooding, but how we layer the biodiversity crisis and our response to that on top of it. There is no doubt that there is goodwill in the organisation. More than 50% of the staff responded to the survey that was conducted in-house. A total of 91% of those surveyed felt that there were many ways the OPW could do more to help biodiversity and 90% said it was important to them. However, the essential piece of work is needed. It is a great strategy but have we the people to put it in place? A great strategy is all fine and well, and we have seen many of them come and go, but in respect of the implementation of that strategy that is important. That is why I asked about the senior appointments and particularly that piece around the gap analysis of the skills and the skills deficit that exists within the organisation.

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