Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and acknowledge that his presence is an indication of how seriously he is taking this issue. I congratulate my colleagues in the Green Party for bringing forward the motion. It is a worthy motion and a worthy debate that we should have.

The Antarctic Treaty System effectively allows for peaceful co-operation between countries. It provides that no specific country precisely owns the Antarctic. Countries have stations there, are involved in research there, such as nuclear testing and scientific research, and preserve its biodiversity. The research and work there will improve humankind. There is an interest in accession to the Antarctic Treaty System. I would be interested to hear in the Minister's response where precisely we are at and how he views the future in regard to that.

Irish scientists participated in the International Polar Year experimentation in 2007 and 2009. That was a positive Irish involvement and that is good.

It is a wonderful treaty to the extent that national conflicts have remained in abeyance under the Antarctic Treaty. Every national territory, as I stated earlier, has stations but, importantly, they are not in an ownership situation. The treaty allows for the protection of the intrinsic geography, climate, wildlife and ecosystems in Antarctic and that is important.

I gather that Ireland has sought to join the Arctic Council, in observer status because of our neutrality position. The Minister might elaborate and make us aware of what is happening there. Initially, the treaty was made by 12 countries and it is extremely important that we would be part of it.

Much reference has been made to, and my distinguished colleague Senator Vincent P. Martin gave a learned exposition on, the entire question of explorers there, and specifically on Ernest Shackleton. I had the privilege of meeting the Shackleton family on one occasion. They have interests close to my home area. Senator Martin is probably aware of that. They have family interests in the north Meath area as well. There is a family tradition there. Of course, there are some of the Crean family still around too, and Tom Crean is obviously a celebrated explorer too. Ireland has an interesting tradition of exploration.

Next year will mark the centenary of the death of Ernest Shackleton on the Antarctic island of South Georgia, where he is buried. He was Ireland's pre-eminent Antarctic person and a leading global ambassador. Shackleton's international comrades decreed that he was an Irishman "from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet" and that he had "all the best characteristics of the Irish race".

It is an interesting and worthwhile motion. It is important that we preserve Antarctica, its biodiversity and its ecosystems, that we preserve it in its unspoilt condition and that we make sure it is not a victim of global warming. There have been some alarming reports from there, and alarming evidence on our television screens. We do not welcome that. We are certainly committed in Ireland to the climate change agenda and to making sure we preserve Antarctica and we preserve our planet to the largest possible degree. That is our job. While Ireland cannot do it alone, we will have a moral leadership role. We will by our actions be fit to make the case strongly.

I personally believe that we should go on seeking observer status at the Arctic Council. I believe we should look at accession to the treaty. I am interested in the Minister's response in that regard. The Green Party has done a good day's work. It does not merit further elaboration. I note the time is up.