Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann, in accordance with a Resolution of the Dáil of 22nd February, 2022, and the Order of the Dáil of 20th June, 2023, shall take note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action entitled "Report on the examination of recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly report on biodiversity loss", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 14th December, 2023.

Before I give a summary of the report, I place on record my thanks to the 99 citizens who met over what I think was an 18-month period right up to this time last year. The assembly was chaired very ably by Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, assisted by her secretariat and team of advisers. The citizens' assembly came up with a really, thoughtful, thorough, well-researched report. It has 159 recommendations and I think I speak for all members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action when I say we are indebted to those citizens and Dr. Ní Shúilleabháin and her team who helped produce the report. In March 2023 the assembly published its report and recommendations. It was referred on 20 June to the committee for our consideration. The committee undertook an extensive examination of those recommendations and engaged with a diverse rang of relevant stakeholders. These engagements have informed this report. I thank all those witnesses. I think around 50 in all came before us in the months between September and Christmas of last year. They were a diverse group. There were farmers, scientists, lawyers, academics, civil servants and many others. The contributed and helped us to write our own report. They came from near and far, from within this State and outside it as well and we are very appreciative of them giving their time and expertise to us.

The committee's report sets out recommendations to Government which members feel are vital to ensuring the biodiversity crisis in Ireland is addressed in a meaningful way. Our report contains 86 recommendations and I will present not a summary but a good selection to the House. The body of the report outlines evidence about environmental law and enforcement, the rights of nature and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the funding of nature restoration, land use and water restoration, the mandates of semi-State bodies, the national biodiversity action plan and protected sites. The committee's report highlights the need to better implement and enforce existing environmental law.

Much of this existing legislation is designed to protect nature and biodiversity but has fallen victim to the fragmented approach currently taken to environmental governance. The committee therefore recommends the strengthening of enforcement powers across all relevant bodies, enhanced by greater collaboration between agencies. A review of financial penalties should be undertaken to support the enforcement of environmental law and to deter environmental crimes.

The committee accepts in principle the recommendation of the citizens' assembly that the people of Ireland be afforded an opportunity by way of a referendum or referenda to protect our biodiversity through the incorporation of the rights of nature, the right to a health environment or both into our Constitution. As such, we further recommend that the Government begin the preparatory steps within the lifetime of this current Dáil to consider a referendum or referenda. These steps would include the establishment of an expert group with resources to design and draft the potential question or questions.

The report highlights the need for greater investment in measures such as data and mapping systems for ecosystems and habitats to help inform reward and incentive schemes for the restoration and protection of biodiversity. The committee believes that environmental and social benefits, including long-term benefits, should be taken into account in cost-benefit analyses for public investment to encourage a more strategic approach to projects that includes more nature-based solutions. There should a review of fiscal policy to identify and prevent subsidies and Government spending that harm biodiversity and to consider measures that could finance nature restoration.

With regard to land use, the report outlines the need for clear and defined targets for farmers with regard to land use and agricultural schemes as well as a longer-term vision for farming into the future. Support at a local level would remove barriers and provide greater clarity as to the delivery expectations of farmers. When considering the challenge of agriculture and biodiversity restoration, I will note that the committee was unanimously of the view that we need to protect farmers and farm livelihoods. We believe we can do that while also restoring biodiversity in this country. That is very important to say.

The committee is particularly concerned with water quality. The report highlights the negative impact that agriculture, land drainage and discharges of sewage have had on our water systems. The committee recommends that local authorities be better resourced to fully implement and enforce legislation in respect of agricultural and septic tank inspections, especially in areas where water quality is at risk. There should be better cross-sector co-ordination to address water quality issues at a more targeted local level.

The report highlights that the mandates of semi-State bodies are currently led by outdated legislation that conflicts with our current policy objectives. The committee recommends that antiquated legislation be reviewed and amended. This includes the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, the Forestry Act 1988 and the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998.

While the committee acknowledges the intention for the national biodiversity action plan to be placed on a statutory footing, it expresses concern that the plan does not set out specific targets. The committee is of the view that targets, including geographic targets, should be incorporated into the national biodiversity action plan and that the plan should be aligned with the climate action plan and overseen by the Taoiseach's office.

With regard to designated sites and heritage sites, the committee recommends that the State should increase the area of land dedicated to national parks and that legislation to designate marine protected areas should be progressed through the Oireachtas with urgency.

The report sets out 86 recommendations in total. It is now being debated in this House and I believe it will also be debated in the Upper House. I encourage all Oireachtas Members to read the report and recommendations in full. I again thank all of those who presented evidence to the committee that has informed this report and its recommendations. I take this opportunity to thank members of the committee, many of whom are present this afternoon, who really went above and beyond in getting stuck into this subject. We were given quite a short timeline in June of last year. We had to report by Christmas. I really appreciate the committee's co-operation. We had multiple sessions some weeks and had multiple private sessions. There was a lot of exhaustive work. It is testament to the collaborative nature of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action that we have produced a very meaningful report. It will be a legacy of our committee and of this Oireachtas.

As the Oireachtas committee report that resulted from the recommendations of the citizens' assembly on climate change was instrumental in framing the current programme for Government, I hope and I daresay expect that this report and its recommendations will play a central role in the formation of the next government's programme.

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