Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

When we talk about this, it is not about not developing and nurturing communities. When we talk about rural areas, it is not about the town versus the environment. It is about having communities that are sustainable. That is why we have the sustainable development goals. I am referring to that joined-up approach. I resent the attempt to suggest there is a balance of environment versus society. Environment and society need to work together and to complement each other. We must address the fact that our environmental protection to date has been an inadequate. We cannot afford one single step backwards. If we see a golf course on what was formerly a natural heritage area in this State, that would be a step backwards and a red flag to all the generations concerned with respect to our climate and on an international level.