Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O’Sullivan, sa phost nua. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil a lán suime aige sa ról. I know this because I was on the climate committee with him for a couple of years in the previous term. Anyone who heard his speech will know it as well.

This week we mark National Biodiversity Week with events happening up and down the country, including my own County Kildare. It was great to meet the biodiversity officer in Kildare County Council. I am looking forward to taking part in more of the biodiversity events this week. The Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, said last week that we in Ireland are lucky to be surrounded by such a wealth of biodiversity which we must work to protect as well as appreciate. Although many of us certainly appreciate all that our lakes, parks and gardens offer us in our daily lives, this Government has not always worked to protect them. I am sure that will change now with the Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan, in charge.

Year after year we hear calls from environmental agencies that we are in the midst of an ecological crisis. The eighth Ireland’s State of the Environment report was published by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, last year. It found that almost 85% of our protected habitats and almost a third of our protected species of flora and fauna are in poor condition. The EPA claims this loss of nature and biodiversity is so severe that it could signal the sixth mass extinction event. Yesterday we all heard yesterday the news about the ecological disaster unfolding in Lady's Island Lake in Wexford. The pollution levels have reached an unprecedented level, according to Dr. Brendan O'Connor. This is a place of pilgrimage for so many and provides beautiful views of Eardownes Great and Ballycushlane. Anyone who has been there can attest to that. Castletown House, Celbridge, in my own constituency of Kildare North is also biodiversity rich, with beautiful nature trails and lakes. It is good to take time out in nature.

According to the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland, there is not much emphasis on cross-Border coherence at a European level when it comes to ecosystems and habitats. Partition has done biodiversity and climate action a real disservice in Ireland. We have two jurisdictions managing the habitats and ecosystems on one island and, frankly, it is ridiculous. While Sinn Féin continues the struggle for a united Ireland, it is imperative that the Irish State plays a bigger role in the preservation of our biodiversity throughout the whole island. Our first climate committee meeting took place this afternoon. We all know biodiversity knows no political borders. With Britain now outside the EU and not adhering to any EU environmental frameworks, it is really important that the Irish Government steps up and takes a leadership role. We must plan the biodiversity framework for reunification and make sure that the national biodiversity action plan is actually national, for the Thirty-two Counties. We must support local conservation groups in the Six Counties.

I was speaking earlier about Lady's Island Lake, the lagoon in Wexford, but Lough Neagh comes to mind as well. Bobby Sands spoke about the laughter of our children and that laughter is under threat if we do not get this under control. It is imperative that we recognise the threat to our climate, biodiversity and humanity by taking seriously our duty to lower our emissions, protect our network of protected areas, commit to afforestation targets and the decolonisation of Ireland and protect our waters through strong and ambitious marine protection area laws. Caithfimid go léir teacht le chéile ar an gceist seo. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

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