Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I second the motion. I welcome the attendance and participation in this debate of my party colleague, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I thank Senator Garvey for moving the motion.

In 1972, a young research assistant made a list of natural and semi-natural habitats in County Kildare with the objective of selecting habitats for preservation. That research assistant, Roger Goodwillie, who then worked for An Foras Forbartha, which is now the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, made a number of interesting observations. Back in 1972, referring to my constituency, Mr. Goodwillie stated that bird life in the area was rich and it supported a high population of grouse. He observed oak wood with a rich flora and abundant bird life, including species such as the nightjar, rich wild fowl feeding and a breeding area for many water birds. He also noted that the area supported a huge number of snipe. Almost 50 years later, bird species, such as the curlew, that were once common in my constituency have all but disappeared. I care about the whole island of Ireland and beyond but I have particular knowledge of my constituency, which is why I have made reference to it. I hope the rest of Ireland does not feel left out because the issue is a national and global problem.

In Ireland, the curlew, for example, has suffered a massive decline of 96% since the 1980s, with fewer than a handful of native curlews remaining in County Kildare. Species of water birds such as lapwing and snipe are already in danger of meeting the same fate. They live a treacherous existence as they are forced to the very edge of once ecologically rich habitats. However, we have begun to take steps to address the issue. The curlew task force, which was established in 2017, and the subsequent action plans under the NPWS, have made tentative progress. As we know, the NPWS does excellent work but it is chronically under-resourced. Voluntary organisations, such as Birdwatch Kildare, have made valiant efforts over the years to over the years to safeguard our tiny breeding curlew population in the county. They have also taken practical steps to provide nesting spaces for swifts, which is another threatened species. Volunteers across the county, from Johnstownbridge to Athy, have been implementing swift conservation measures.

Butterfly Conservation Ireland, proudly based in County Kildare, does tremendous work, managing the habitat of rare species of butterfly, such as the dark green fritillary and marsh fritillary. In Kildare, of the 22 sites originally referenced in the 1972 work, eight are designated as special areas of conservation today under the EU habitats directive. These include the beautiful, unique Pollardstown Fen, which is fed by an alkaline spring and the Curragh aquifer, and Ballynafagh Lake near Prosperous in north Kildare.What is missing is habitats of scale with rich biodiversity potential that could support wildlife and bring back species lost to Ireland. If we do not take action now and designate further sites throughout the country, not just in the west and north west, our children will never hear the call of the breeding curlew. Ireland is a winter refuge for many migrating water birds, but these too have suffered declines in recent years. Researchers at the Kildare branch of BirdWatch Ireland estimate that wading birds such as lapwing and golden plover have declined by 19% in the past ten years. It is not just water birds. Countryside birds such as yellowhammer suffered massive declines and the corn bunting is extinct.

A recently published CSO report entitled Environmental Indicators 2020 states that in 2018, Ireland had the third lowest proportion of total land area in the EU 28 designated as terrestrial special protected areas, SPAs, under the EU birds directive, at 6.1%, and the eighth lowest proportion of total land area designated as terrestrial special areas of conservation, SAC, under the EU habitats directive, at 13.1%. That is a cause of great concern and must be corrected. One way of approaching it is to increase the designated area to at least match the EU average. It should include both terrestrial and marine habitats. Another proposal would be to ensure that management plans are put in place for our designated protection areas to ensure no further loss of biodiversity and to reverse the declines we have seen.

John Hume is often rightly referred to as having been pivotal to the peace process. He used and invoked the EU when he stated that we all live in a country called Europe and that we should deal with our strengths and commonalities. I am confident that we will call on the EU again for protection and strength going forward. The laws are in place but they must be complied with. I refer to the habitats directive, the birds directive and the water framework directive. Article 12 of the habitats directive requires the creation of a system of strict protection for certain species. Member states are obliged to take requisite measures to establish a system of strict protection for the animal species listed in that annexe, including bats and many other animals. There is an obligation on member states. The article prohibits the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during breeding, rearing, hibernation and migration. It also prohibits the deterioration or destruction of breeding sites or resting places.

The European Court of Justice has issued many judgments that oblige the State to take action in respect of this matter. A member state fails to fulfil its obligations under Article 12(1)(b) and (d) of the directive if it does not take all requisite specific measures to prevent the deliberate disturbance of the animal species concerned during their breeding period or allows the deterioration or destruction of their breeding sites. There is a significant volume of EU law on this matter. The courts are listening. One will get a good hearing in court in respect of these matters. Responsibility begins in an individual capacity but we must have compliance with national and EU law.

Sinn Féin has tabled an amendment to the motion. I welcome its concern for, and love of, bees, although obviously not the B-Specials. Of course, we should protect the native Irish honey bee. I have spoken to the Minister of State, Deputy Hackett, about that. The specific remit of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society is to protect, preserve and promote the native Irish honey bee. It is a rare strain of bee. The dark European strain adapts best to our climate. The two national associations, namely, the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations and the Irish Beekeepers Association are 100% on board. In Kildare North and Kildare South, they are among 20 organisations that have signed a voluntary pact to preserve and protect the native Irish honey bee.