Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like other Senators, I welcome this motion on biodiversity. I am delighted to see the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. Between the Mayo and Offaly connection and her love of land, she is the best person we could have as Minister of State with responsibility for this issue. I will work with her.

I could reiterate much of what has been said. Regardless of what side we come from, there is a recognition that we have to deal with this issue, but we must do so in a fair manner. That is evident from today's discussion. Many of us grew up in rural Ireland. I often make the point that those of us who were reared on small or medium-sized farms grew up with such positive environmental lives. We grew up where our parents would not touch a bird's nest. If we had some poultry in our gardens and during the summer our hens came along with a clutch of chickens, it was a fantastic thing for children to witness. The idea of working with schools is found throughout this motion and Government policy. If we listened more to our younger generation, we would see that younger people were coming up with many good ideas. As adults, we have to buy into that. One could not walk into any school today, be it urban or rural, without seeing biodiversity initiatives in action. That is fantastic. Combined with everything the pupils are doing with their teachers in this regard, it gives me great hope for the future.In certain respects, some people have the belief that many farmers are basically anti-environment. They are not. The key to success is working with the farming communities. All farming organisations have environmental committees and specific members dealing with environmental issues. I spoke before the budget to members of Macra na Feirme. Their interest in biodiversity was extraordinarily positive.

I recall the environmentally friendly ways that our parents and grandparents had of dealing with issues. There was no dumping of waste food - the crumbs were thrown out to the birds. Children were told about every type of bird - that is a robin, that is a blue tit, that is a bullfinch. This all happened on the farms of Ireland. From my perspective, it was a most amazing experience as a young person. We need to find some way of returning to that. We must encourage people to grow vegetables and fruit trees in their gardens again. Those used to be part of every farm in my area of County Roscommon. I am sure that many of the Senators around me who come from a rural background, regardless of whether they now live in Dublin city, Cork city, Galway city or some other large urban area, can identify with this experience. It is an important aspect to remember in the debate.

Turning to the programme for Government, it is important that we see commitments to the promotion of biodiversity in our schools. The more we link up with schools, the more we will learn. It is important to review the protection of our natural heritage, including hedgerows. When discussing carbon, we must take into account the importance of our hedgerows in that regard.

Senator Dolan and others spoke about having stronger links with local authorities, be they in urban or rural areas, in terms of additional programmes and providing them the funding to do more.

People talk about pesticides on farms. I come from an horticultural background. It is what I studied in college. I do not like pesticides, but some use of pesticides is needed in some farm situations. Many of those farmers would like there to be a safer and environmentally friendlier way. Surely that is something that we can work through.

I like the great idea in the programme for Government about having an annual biodiversity award scheme.

If one dictates to or speaks down to people, one creates a barrier and a division. Regardless of our parties or whether we are Independents, we as politicians must always work to bring groups together.If some farming group expresses anger or concern about an environmental issue then I believe going and speaking to those people, listening to their point of view and pointing out some change that can be made will be better for everybody. That often works. There should not be an "us and them" in this debate. It is important for all of us to keep that in mind as we further debate these issues and bring in legislation on them.

There were many aspects of farming in the past and it was tough for people to have enough income to survive. Remember, however, it is tough to have a liveable income out of many farming methods today. Any of us who are politicians will know that if farmers do not have what is called "the cheque in the post" and other things to help them along the route, they would not have financial survival mechanisms. That is the reality. Anything we can suggest or propose as politicians, in conjunction with the farming organisations or horticultural or agricultural organisations or whatever they are, might say to somebody if he or she made a slight change on his or her farm of 40 acres and started producing something else then it might pay. I am, however, a great believer in pilot schemes and adequately financing people to work on that for a few years to see whether it will work out financially.

All in all, this is a good motion. Obviously, there will be further debate on aspects of it but in terms of forestry we need to have a real and big discussion on it. I know that will come up in terms of what we will bring forward, hopefully, in 2021. There is much positivity coming out of forestry if it is handled the right way.

I have referred before to Sliabh Bawn in my neck of the woods and I believe I spoke to the Minister about it. Coillte owns a vast area of land where it has grown mainly trees and spruces, in particular, that we can have issues with. It is, however, an important part of creating jobs and money. In terms of where we put in a wind farm, however, which people did not like, Coillte along with Roscommon County Council has opened up a fascinating walkway and runway and it shows up the history of the area. It is a beautiful place I would encourage people to walk for their well-being. It is a fantastic place to have on one's doorstep right now. There are, therefore, ways we can make huge improvements and ways we can bring the vast majority of people with us.