Róisín Garvey (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Fáiltím roimh an Aire Stáit. Is deas é a fheiceáil sa Teach seo inniu agus tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil sé i gceannas ar an bpost nua seo.

I support this Bill and it is very important that it is happening. The Minister of State has done the following work since assuming this position in July: increased the national parks and wildlife funding by 80%; he has recruited 50 additional National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, conservation rangers; launched the new all-Ireland pollinator plan; enabled the contribution of €2.6 million to 15 sites for major raised bog rehabilitation projects; created 30 jobs for curlew protection; and announced €6 million for the Ulster Canal greenway. I could go on with many more projects around invasive species. It is my opinion that the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is probably the perfect person to ensure that this new role is taken on by this Department and it will be done by him to the highest possible standards.If anyone can keep on top of technical housing things, special areas of conservation and special protection areas, it is the Minister of State. I look forward to him playing a blinder in that role.