Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Making statements on biodiversity in Ireland is a bit like that time when Ghandi was asked about western civilisation and he retorted: "I think it would be a good idea." Biodiversity in Ireland would be a good idea if we followed through. I welcome the €2.9 million funding announcement to local authorities for biodiversity projects under the National Parks and Wildlife Service local biodiversity action fund 2025. There has been great work done in my own local authority area of south Dublin, for example. We planted a pocket forest a few months ago which, much to the dismay of Lucan Tidy Towns and all the volunteers, myself included, after hours of diligent work, has now been torn to shreds and cut down for a cycle path because South Dublin County Council did not communicate internally - bureaucratic ineptitude at its finest. Someone needs to be called out. On the whole there have been some good projects, including other pocket forests and the Dublin Urban Rivers LIFE project. When all these are taken together on a national level, if colleagues will pardon the pun, unfortunately it is a drop in our dying ocean.

Social Justice Ireland estimates that 56% of native plant species have declined in range and abundance, with grassland plants suffering the most. Some 85% of EU protected habitats in Ireland are in an unfavourable state and 46% are showing ongoing declines. Yes, biodiversity would be a good idea. This week we heard the news that Lady's Island Lake in County Wexford is experiencing severe pollution, primarily due to excessive nutrient run-off from agricultural activities. This has resulted in harmful algal blooms, fish kills and a general degradation of the lake's ecosystem. The lake is a special protection area and a special area of conservation. It is struggling to recover from the negative impact of ongoing nutrient overenrichment. This is just one example on the island of Ireland. We have the dead lake, Lough Neagh, in the North. Dying and endangered lakes in the South include Lough Corrib, Lough Mask, Lough Carra, Lough Sheelin, Lough Derravaragh, Lough Ennell, Lough Cullaun, Lough Arrow, Ballycuirke Lough, Ballyeighter Lough, Lough Bane and Bleach Lough, as referenced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. What all these lakes have in common is agricultural run-off - basically, animal excrement - spread excessively over land that is leaching into our waterways and causing havoc. In Ireland, agricultural practices negatively impact over 70% of our habitats. We can talk all we want about our commitment to biodiversity and point to the nitrates action programme and good agricultural practices regulations that aim to limit fertiliser application, but the fact is that we still seek derogations on the nitrates directive. Make me ecologically chaste, O Lord, but not yet.

Yes, biodiversity would be a good idea. We are a bunch of hypocrites, basically because we want to flog more beef and dairy abroad at a time when we should be encouraging the reduction of animal agriculture to reduce greenhouse emissions. That is before we even touch animal welfare issues. We will not be anywhere near meeting the EU organic food targets, even those these sectors pay a premium. We should be promoting organic food as the norm, including subsidising it where it does not meet affordability thresholds, and encouraging a major reduction in meat and dairy consumption. Why are we not setting an example? As an aside, it is a pity that there is not more vegan and vegetarian food in the Dáil restaurant for all the staff. I must say they do a lovely vegan breakfast, albeit a fry-up. Maybe the Minister of State should try it sometime and promote meat reduction for climate and biodiversity enhancement, as opposed to pandering to lobby groups that do not have a leg to stand on, let alone four legs.

We need to give much more support to our small farmers especially, and to farming communities, in diversifying. We need to provide them with real incomes and real potential from enhancing our environment, planting renewable Irish forests and engaging in diversification as custodians of our environment. They have been doing a great job over many centuries but we have an issue with water leaching. They are not going to change the habits of generations without support and encouragement. Rural communities could thrive once again and our rivers and lakes could be clean, but the Government needs to make it happen rather than stand in the way.

As well as spreading nitrates, we have overgrazing, undergrazing, unsustainable peat extraction, although I love the smell of a turf fire as much as anyone else, the introduction of invasive species and overfishing. Let us be balanced, though. Residential and industrial development also plays its part. Its impact on climate change affects biodiversity. Building on flood plains has a knock-on effect. Air and water pollution from these sources destroys our ecosystem and needs to be tackled.

We have this big, national biodiversity action plan that does not look like it is going to meet its targets. I have read through it. It has a puffin on the front cover. BirdWatch Ireland reported a 28% decline in Ireland's puffin population since the turn of this century alone, making it a red listed bird of conservation concern. We need to take biodiversity seriously, but we do not. We pay lip service. We pat ourselves on the back for the many laudable micro-projects, which I praise. I am not saying nothing has been done but not enough has been done because in terms of the big picture, we consistently fail to take action. Yes, biodiversity would be a good idea.

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