Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I put on record my thanks and the thanks of the Shackleton Museum, Athy, and its board of directors to the Green Party for tabling this important motion. I especially thank the Green Party Senators here, particularly Senator Martin. I also acknowledge Councillor Colm Kenny, who played a crucial role in bringing this forward, along with Senator Martin. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, who recently visited the centre in Athy, and the part that he has played in bringing the motion to us tonight.

It may come as no surprise to Members that I will concentrate on the benefits to Athy and Kildare of having the Shackleton Museum in the town. As Senator Martin said in his introduction, I am a proud director of the Athy Heritage Museum and I have been for over ten years. It is important to the town and its future. The Acting Chairperson mentioned in his contribution the magnificent statue of Ernest Shackleton in the centre of the town, which has attracted much interest internationally. As a previous cathaoirleach of the town council, I recall that we had a yearly event to coincide with the autumn school. On one occasion, people of 12 nationalities, coming from every corner of the world, came to be at the autumn school, such was the interest in Shackleton and in polar exploration. The benefit of that was seen throughout the town of Athy. That has continued every year. Unfortunately, it has been virtual for the past few years, given everything that Covid has brought. I encourage all Members of the House to attend. The autumn Shackleton school is a great weekend and a corner of events in Athy.

I second Senator Martin's invitation to the Minister to come to Athy to sign the treaty. We look forward to the Minister's reply. That will hopefully be an event that we can celebrate in Athy, given its association with Ernest Shackleton. He was born in Kilkea, just outside Athy and near to the town of Castledermot, in 1874. We recently visited his house. Senator O'Loughlin and I took part in the Kildare Sports Partnership Shackleton challenge recently. Senator O'Loughlin is displaying the medal that we both got. Almost 50 people attended that event, from a number of sports clubs.It shows again the interest in promoting Shackleton and what he has done for the tourism potential of the town of Athy. That is to be celebrated at every opportunity and I thank my Green Party colleagues for giving me the opportunity to state that.

It is important to acknowledge the Government investment in the museum. We will have an iceberg outside the museum in the future. The drawings are on display. I acknowledge Government investment over recent years but we need a few bob more to complete the job. I am sure the Minister and Government will not be found wanting on that because we will have a world centre for Shackleton and polar exploration once the museum is completed. The Minister has been to Athy a couple of times and it is hoped he will be back again when we sign the treaty in the town. He is welcome to come down any time to see the museum and the great work that is going on there.

On the importance of Shackleton to Athy, the chairperson of the local group, Frank Taaffe, referenced in a recent article two important visitors who came to the centre, again showing its tremendous potential. Colin Teague, who is from the US and running a Reach the World initiative for an educational organisation using a virtual platform, recently visited the museum. He is involved with a worldwide educational programme and brought it to Athy. An important recent visitor was Mensun Bound, the person who will look for Endurance in 2022. He has a short window, I am informed, but we look forward to that discovery. He was impressed with what was on show in our museum. I encourage everybody to take part.

The essential reason we are here is the Antarctic Treaty. As has been said by Senator Martin and others, it is important to say that, for many decades and through occasions of conflict and uncertainty, the treaty has stood to protect Antarctica for the betterment of humankind. More than this, the treaty has enabled the science-based co-operation that underpins it to progress our understanding of the world we live in. Today scientists from countries, as has been said by colleagues, representing 80% of the world's population work co-operatively to understand the systems that have formed and control our planet.

I mentioned Ernest Shackleton was born outside Kilkea, Castledermot in 1874. Senator Martin has outlined why this treaty is important to Ireland. As he said, Antarctica is the newest continent and the first human footprint is as recent as 1895. We are only now learning the crucial role it plays in mediating our global environment. A simple statistic makes that role startlingly clear: 70% of the world's fresh water is held in the form of ice in the Antarctic. That is why it is important for Ireland to be there as a global player and, as part of our foreign policy, we need to be at the table. I hope the Minister will be positive in his reply that we will be there.