Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I thank the various Senators for their generally very positive contributions and for the support for this very simple amending legislation which will ensure that people may continue to shoot in a legal fashion. No other element is included in the Bill.

I would be happy to attend the House at any future opportunity to discuss the topic of nature. We need to be aware of the importance of biodiversity in this country. At times it has been compromised in various ways. Biodiversity provides services such as water, fresh air, pollination. It would be very helpful to have a discussion in this House. My engagement with this House in discussions on the arts and on the national cultural institutions, has been very positive. I salute the extensive expertise in this House which can inform any Minister if he or she were prepared to listen and I am prepared to listen.

A number of Senators mentioned education. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú and other speakers that nature education should be part of the school curriculum. The country has six national parks but not everyone has easy access to them. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is making extensive use of the national parks for educational purposes. I suggest the schools could use this resource. The farming community are the custodians of our environment. I have always recognised the positive contribution made by the Irish Farmers Association, the ICMSA and other organisations to preserving and caring for the countryside. Farmers have preserved our treasured landscape which visitors wish to see. Without people living in that landscape we would not have that attraction. It is important to have a positive engagement with rural dwellers.

The principal legislation is in preparation and I will be delighted to return to the Seanad to discuss it. In reply to the question on computerisation, this is one of the reasons for this Bill. Apart from technical constraints there are also financial considerations. This Bill was deemed to be the most practical solution since the country is so constrained financially. Otherwise, as I said in my Second Stage contribution, before the enactment of the Bill, a number of cases were taken in 2009 against the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This amending Bill is a technical provision to allow for shooting licences and to provide legitimate cover for those who wish to shoot in these closed seasons. The conditions have not changed as regards open seasons and shooting conditions.

I thank Senators for their contributions.