Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of my party, I welcome this motion and acknowledge the tremendous contribution that Senator O'Sullivan has consistently made in this Chamber. I have learned an awful lot from the work she has done. What I really like about this motion is that it presents a really coherent vision for what we should be doing with our ocean resources. I am genuinely disappointed the Government could not find a way to work with the motion or, indeed, with Senator Craughwell's amendment, which we would be happy to support as a party. Senator Craughwell is quite right that the Government has already committed to the 30% figure. It seems almost churlish to stretch for ways to find objections to this motion. My colleague from Fine Gael mentioned the Government being committed to the preparation of legislation. We heard a great one in a committee yesterday where a civil servant told us that legislation is in the Minister's mind. Come on. Nothing is happening here. Right now, we have a really good motion that we should be buying into. I commend my colleague, Senator Daly, who I thought made some excellent points in his speech. Fianna Fáil is on board with this. I think Fine Gael is missing an opportunity on this issue.

I want to talk about microbeads. They are causing immense problems in our oceans. Senator O'Sullivan was the first to bring this to the attention of the Chamber. I am not sure how long ago it was at this stage but it was last year. We are promised that legislation is coming. I am not convinced. These microplastics are being put into everyday products such as soaps, gels, cosmetics, deodorant and toothpastes, and they end up in our oceans.It has been estimated that between 15 trillion and 51 trillion microplastic particles have accumulated in the ocean, with between 80,000 and 219,000 tonnes of microplastics entering the sea from Europe every year. We have lost a year since Senator Grace O'Sullivan's initial Bill came in and another 200,000 tonnes from Europe have entered the sea. Also, over 70% of deep-sea fish have ingested plastic, which is a frightening statistic. I have taken those figures from a study conducted by the National University of Ireland, Galway.

A growing number of countries seek to ban such particles. Holland, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium and Sweden have all called for an EU-wide ban. Cosmetic companies have found ways of producing exfoliating products without the need for plastic-based microbeads. The products are advertised as such and seem to sell well. The recent introduction of the sugar tax is an example of political will forcing companies to adapt well before legislation comes into force. Legislation needs to be advanced to protect our environment. Legislation went before the Dáil and Seanad last year and we await the legislation promised by the Government.

The moratorium on exploration seeks to guard against same as it has an adverse effect on the environment. The motion also wants the extent of the damage and pollution analysed. Of course we should support the motion. If we are serious about it then we will endorse its aim and make sure that we do not continue to exploit fossil fuel possibilities. We need a greater vision at this time.

I remind the Minister of State that this country is one of the largest importers of fossil fuels in the EU. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and establish a direct replacement in our society. Without direct replacements we will continue to use fossil fuels from other States and not develop our own. Where is the morality in this matter? We also use energy that is produced by the nuclear industry in Britain.

We need to develop offshore renewable projects, as a matter of urgency. We need to use our own huge potential for offshore renewable energy to supply this State with clean green energy. Offshore renewables include offshore wind technology and the potentially available tidal and wave power. These sources of renewable energy, in particular offshore wind energy, can supply this island with a considerable amount of its electricity need but, sadly, it is non-existent.

Sinn Féin has a couple of concerns about the motion but nothing will stop us supporting same. Reference has been made to destructive fishing. Can we assume that destructive fishing is not authorised under the Common Fisheries Policy? Sinn Féin buys into the broad motion and we still feel it is worthy of our support.

We have signed up to international agreements to set aside 10% of our waters by 2020 and 30% by 2030. As has been pointed out, only 2.33% of that has been identified. We, as a country, are way behind the curve on this matter. The Government has said it knows we are way behind the curve but has asked that we give this matter more time. To be frank, that attitude is not good enough.

We support the concept of marine protection areas but acknowledge that there are arguments for and against them. Some believe a sanctuary area with no commercial activity helps populate surrounding areas with fish and shellfish. There is such an area on the south coast of England. There are mixed opinions about same and some people think such areas become a mecca for predators. There are also areas like the cod recovery area in Greencastle, County Donegal, where although there has been very little trawling for years, the fish population in the area does not seem to have recovered, thus leaving the area barren.

The motion suggests we have a consultation process for stakeholders. Sinn Féin fully supports the idea. A stakeholder is someone who may lose his or her home or business when whatever he or she has a stake in fails. The fishing industry should not be included in the same class as non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and should never enter a forum where it is in a minority.

With those points aside, we fully support the motion and welcome this debate. There has been a lot of interest in this motion. It would be a shame if the Government continued its opposition because the motion presents a real vision for what our oceans should and could be. The motion appears to have the support of everybody except Fine Gael. I hope that the Government will have a late change of heart. I have great confidence in the Minister of State who hails from County Meath, which is just down the road from County Westmeath. If one cannot be from County Westmeath, then County Meath is the next best thing. Perhaps he will have a change of heart between now and when he speaks on the issue.