Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 19 be taken before No. 1. At the appropriate time I will formally move that request. No. 19 is the introduction of my legislation, the Protection of the Irish Native Honey Bee Bill 2021. Ireland is fortunate to have a pure population of its own native honey bees, which is perfectly adapted to this island, climate and flora. However, it is coming under sustained, ongoing and serious threat from the importation of non-native honey bees. They are less frugal, more aggressive, prone to swarming and they have an adverse impact on biodiversity and ecosystems with the resulting introgression and cross-breeding of the Apis mellifera mellifera.

We are one of the last strongholds of this pure native bee. It is under serious threat. Last year, we reported a documented 327% increase in the importation into this country of non-native honey bee queens. After more than ten years of campaigning, the Native Irish Honey Bee Society will be pleased. This is a step in the right direction. The society is not, however, getting carried away. Complacency will not set in. It is not going away. It is going to stick at this under it gets a permanent satisfying result. I acknowledge the work of its wonderful chairperson, Ms Aoife Nic Giolla Coda, secretary ,Loretta Neary and so many others engaged in that volunteerism. They do this at their own expense, as they are committed to this cause. I thank the Climate Bar Association, an independent expert body, which has reached the conclusion that to amend the law in this way is not repugnant to EU law. I am also grateful the cross-party support which this Bill enjoys. This is where the future lies. If leave to introduced is granted, Members will see on the Bill when it is published shortly thereafter the names of colleagues, who come from each and every political grouping in this Chamber and that is the way forward. With that in mind I anticipate my proposal will be seconded by Senator Erin McGeehan, who is representative of the cross-party approach that we are taking to this.