Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their interesting and informed contributions and for their widespread support for the motion. The extension of time by half an hour demonstrates the passion in the House for this issue, which I welcome.

All Senators spoke passionately on the motion. I think of Senator O'Loughlin's account of the habitats and areas close to her own home. I thank Senator Boyhan for his well wishes for my party in this Government. I concur with Senator Murphy's comment to the effect that no matter what side one is on, everyone realises that we have to do something about the crisis we are in. On behalf of the Government, I am delighted to support the proposed motion on the biodiversity emergency put forward by my colleagues, Senators O'Reilly, Garvey and Martin.

Biodiversity is a keystone to our way of life and must be respected and restored, and it is essential that it remains high on the political agenda. We are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis. As the motion indicates, on a European and national level, we are seeing notable declines in our overall net biodiversity figures for both species and habitats and general biodiversity quality. The primary drivers of these declines have been attributed mainly to human-related activities being carried out in an unsustainable manner, which have damaged and, indeed, removed many natural habitats that are essential for support. Senator Paddy Burke made an interesting point on the effects of current infrastructure. I accept he was coming from the other aspect of it, but it resonated with me in a different way.

Climate change also has a direct influence on biodiversity, both land-based and marine-based. If anyone needs reminding of the devastation that is happening in our natural world, a review of any of the recent documentaries from Sir David Attenborough, now in his 95th year, would soon illustrate in beautiful filmography what we have done. A number of speakers referred to him. The "Blue Planet" and "Our Planet" series are excellent, and his most recent documentary film "A Life on Our Planet", which is his self-declared witness statement on his life, and our future, is particularly sobering. It is well worth watching. The Covid crisis we are now in, as highlighted by Senator Moynihan, may well have its roots in ecological disruption and breakdown.

Biodiversity underpins every facet of our lives, be it the environmental, social, and economic foundations. I support the stated aim in the motion that action is needed by this Government to help reverse the marked decline in our biodiversity. I take on board the comments of Senator Cassells. A couple of Senators mentioned rhododendrons in addition to the many other invasive species of flora and fauna. As I helped on one occasion to clear rhododendron in Abbeyleix Bog, I fully acknowledge the slow, arduous, back-breaking process involved, largely undertaken by volunteers.

My party colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, who has special responsibility for heritage in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has within that remit, a significant role to play in biodiversity and natural heritage support, and with responsibility for the NPWS, there is a the vast expanse of lands within Natura 2000 designations. Senator Dolan raised the issue of local authority engagement. I assure her that the Minister of State will actively engage with local authorities in that regard. His Department will lead in the development of the 4th national biodiversity action plan, which should be in line with policies under the EU Green New Deal, and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework.

In his contribution, Senator Dooley also highlighted some of the positive developments from the Minister of State's Department. My Department along with Deputy Noonan's Department, and other Departments and State agencies, will actively work with a biodiversity focus on establishing a database for our natural capital, to establish an inventory of the ecosystem services we have, and their symbiotic relationship and value to the wider economy, society,and our shared environment. This involves developing new pollinator plans, supporting the collection of biodiversity data, developing a soils strategy, completing a national hedgerow survey, and carrying out a baseline biodiversity survey on Irish farms.Many of these initiatives will be supported through budget 2021 funding, as well as the provision of biodiversity training for farmers, the very people we will probably rely on the to deliver in practice and on the ground for biodiversity. Senator Lombard highlighted that we have to get farmers on board in this regard. Doing so is a vital cog in achieving our ambitions.

Senators Boylan and Higgins regarded putting a monetary value on our ecosystems as unsavoury. I understand where they are coming from but I invite both of them to chat to farmers in designated areas and learn what the designation means to them and how their land has been devalued because of it. My colleague, Senator Pauline O'Reilly, put it much more eloquently in suggesting that if we want the farmers to manage the land in the way we want, we have to put a value on that management.

Positive measures being taken to address the biodiversity challenges of our country include numerous farm-based, locally-led schemes that work well. These projects are examining how we can incorporate biodiversity and the awareness of its importance into agriculture. There are 23 projects under way as part of European innovation partnerships, EIPs, many of which are steering efforts with a focus on improving our biodiversity and climate action. Many of the EIP goals, supported by my Department, target the restoration, preservation and enhancement of biodiversity in farmland habitats towards more sustainable agricultural management practices that will have positive implications for biodiversity. Support and engagement with citizens and farmers, as the custodians of much of our landscape, but perhaps not all of it, is critical in achieving this goal. Indeed, increasing the area under organic farming and in horticulture should also benefit biodiversity.

I did not realise Senator Kyne is a former REPS planner. I would appreciate having time to sit down with him sometime to discuss how we can position ourselves and make our vision for biodiversity fit with what farmers can and will want to achieve.

On food production, the value of direct pollination of human food crops has been estimated to be more than €50 million per year in Ireland alone, which shows how important a healthy biodiversity network is for the very food we eat. For example, adopting diverse hedgerows and allowing them to bloom and fruit, and introducing wildflower margins with diverse species mixes, can support and hopefully increase our dwindling pollinator populations. This requires active engagement with farmers on improving biodiversity-friendly practices, and every step on this road is a step in the right direction.

The all-Ireland pollinator plan aims to give much-needed assistance in this area for our pollinators. Senator Byrne alluded to the necessity of having a more ambitious plan. I would welcome that. I acknowledge the comments of my colleague, Senator Martin. He is an avid keeper of bees and is fully aware of the value that these workhorses of nature provide.

I was glad Senator Garvey spoke so eloquently about our soils. As she said, healthy soils contain an abundance of biodiversity. The value of nutrient cycling by soil organisms alone is estimated to be worth in the region of €1 billion a year.

Peat soils comprise approximately 21% of our land area. These areas are essential for carbon sequestration in our efforts to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Under the climate action plan, we aim to re-wet 40,000 ha of drained organic grassland soils that will reduce emissions by 440,000 tonnes. That is difficult to sell to farmers. Again, we need engagement to do that correctly.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly also made reference to the Wild Western Peatlands project. This is an important project, again supported by my Department. It will see Coillte Nature restore and rehabilitate approximately 2,100 ha of Atlantic blanket bog, restoring rare habitats of international importance. This involves re-wetting and restoring bogs as much as possible and establishing native woodlands on fringe areas, but only on suitable ground that could and should have trees planted on it.

Comments were made on forestry. I assure Senator Warfield that the next forestry strategy will factor in all the essential environmental and community concerns that have been absent in the past. Biodiversity at sea is often forgotten about. I would like to draw attention to the importance of the marine environment. This Government is committed to supporting the principles and ambition of the EU's biodiversity strategy. Therefore, I fully support the call in the motion to develop steps for the identification, designation and management of marine protected areas in Irish territorial waters, aiming to ensure these areas cover 30% of our waters by 2030.

The EU Green New Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity objectives are set to afford us all the opportunity to promote biodiversity and agricultural practices in a more blended way on our journey towards a more nature-sensitive and sustainable future. Efficient use and management of our natural resources, including water, soil and natural capital, underpinned by established environmental assessment legislation, is going to be the beating heart of our transition to a circular economy.

I support the motion, affirm the Government's commitment to the ambitions for biodiversity as set out in the programme for Government, and highlight the work being carried out by my Department and the Departments of my Government colleagues to achieve such goals. All our futures depend on getting this right.