Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment.

The plan has been written by Dr. Una FitzPatrick in the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford. It is an excellent plan. She has consulted a huge number of stakeholders, particularly the Bee Federation of Ireland, to input into the pollinator plan. When we talk about pollination, we are talking about a number of different species that pollinate and the importance of pollination in Ireland for food growth. Only recently, I heard a story of a tillage farmer in Kilkenny who has diversified and is growing pumpkin. He requested that a beekeeper in Kilkenny bought some of his stock to pollinate in order to get the best pumpkins possible.Pollinators are absolutely essential not only for the growth of food sources but also the growth and support of biodiversity around the country. I refer to an earlier debate in which we discussed the importance of pollinators in the supply of food for bees in the months of July and August. Pollination is critical. This plan, if the Minister or officials in her Department read it, sets out very well what Ireland should do to meet and comply with its EU obligations. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has requested that the plan be given teeth and some foundation whereby it would be recognised in policy-making and legislating in the future for the betterment of biodiversity, farming, gardens and the country generally. I hope the Minister will take note of it as it is an excellent report which needs to be recognised. I hope she will also support the amendment.