Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Onshore; my apologies. I will get the Deputy an update on the wind guidelines. I am aware that the Attorney General's advice was being sought. I will ask when we should expect the outcome in that regard and revert to the Deputy directly.

I learned a long time ago that it is easier to offer Deputy Ó Murchú a meeting than not do so, so I advise Uisce Éireann to follow the same approach. It is important that State agencies be accessible to elected representatives. Of course, the format in which such meetings can take place can vary. People can use Zoom and everything else these days. The Deputy clearly has a number of important issues of concern regarding Uisce Éireann for his community and constituency. I hope Uisce Éireann can facilitate his request. I will certainly take it up on his behalf with the line Minister.

Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to the conference taking place in Dublin. I am not across it but I take the Deputy's point. Listening to the voices of workers is a very good thing to do. I am obviously not the organiser or issuer of the invites but I recently had a conversation at Dublin Bus on apprenticeships, how to attract more people into the industry, the issue of preparing for the very significant transformation the bus fleet is going to undergo, the skills that will be required to maintain it and the job opportunities that exist, but also the challenges presented by having to learn new skills. I will relay the Deputy's views to the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State. It is important in general, when approaching the issue of climate action, to adopt the approach of trying to bring people with us, listen to them, talk to them and engage with them. Certainly, workers are a very important part of that.

Deputy Paul Murphy referred to the rights of nature. I am a supporter of the nature restoration law. I will continue to articulate that view in Europe. I will be at the European Council this week and I will be making the point on the new European strategic agenda, which is basically the five-year roadmap for the vision and values of Europe. The climate needs to be stressed much more strongly in the draft document than it currently is. I am aware that there are some views on that.

I understand the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss published its report in March 2023 and agreed 159 recommendations, 73 of which were high level and 86 of which were sector specific. That gives us a sense of the depth and breadth. The recommendations of the assembly were deliberated upon by an Oireachtas joint committee. I believe it had a series of engagements with stakeholders, including the Children and Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The latter published its report in December and it contained 86 recommendations. My note tells me that 93% of the recommendations of the citizens' assembly and 95% of the calls to action of the children and young people's assembly have been implemented or are in progress. The phrase "in progress" is one we always need to watch in politics.

On the specific recommendation on a referendum, Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030, published in January, contains an action whereby the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will explore ways in which the rights of nature could be formally recognised, including, potentially, in our Constitution. I understand it is due to conclude its deliberations this year, and these will inform Government thinking.

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