Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome to the Seanad. Our party certainly welcomes and supports this debate. I compliment my Kildare colleague, Senator Martin, and the Green Party on tabling this motion. It is very important that it is supported in the interests of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international co-operation for the benefit of mankind as a whole. The three Government parties are committed to collective climate action, including through engagement in multilateral forums and as a focus of our international development programme. In that context, we have to recognise the value of the Antarctic Treaty System's objective to provide comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, its dependents and its associated ecosystems. There is no doubt that the objectives and achievements of the Antarctic Treaty System are of considerable importance. The commitment of all the signatories is very commendable.

I share the earlier comments of my colleague Senator Wall, in particular, in respect of the greatest Antarctic explorer there has ever been, Ernest Shackleton, who led three expeditions to the Antarctic. On Sunday, 19 September, I was one of 28 people, including Senator Wall, who walked from Shackleton's home in Kilkea to the Shackleton Museum in Athy. Those 28 people were chosen because that is the number of people Shackleton had on his great ship, Endurance, which we have all learned so much about in the intervening years. I am very proud to wear the medal I was presented with that day early on a Sunday morning. It was a very emotive and emotional walk. The reason behind it was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Shackleton's final expedition and all the leadership qualities he showed.

The Shackleton family were very much immersed in the business, farming and educational life of south Kildare. In fact, his father started a multi-denominational school in Ballitore, just outside Athy. They were immersed in and proud of their Irish roots and connections. Shackleton was an incredible leader. His men said that he was the best leader in all mankind. He was a cautious leader and was very good at improvisation. He would never ask his men to do anything he would not do himself. It is just incredible to think of that particular voyage on the Endurance, which was a two-year attempt to traverse the Antarctic that took place from 1914 to 1916. It was a story of remarkable perseverance and survival. Many books have been written about it. Not one man lost his life. It was all men in those days although there are women on some of the expeditions now.

Shackleton was certainly one of the principal figures of the period known as the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. An invitation has already been issued to the Minister, and I recommend that he takes it up, to come to Athy to see the museum, which is a very important asset to Athy and south Kildare. It will only grow in size and development. The highlights include an original sleigh from one of the expeditions, a fabulous model of the ship, Endurance, and many photographs of the families, etc. The hut Shackleton died in is being restored at present and will be returned to the museum.

As Senator Wall said, the excellent annual Ernest Shackleton Autumn School has taken place remotely in the last couple of years, unfortunately. It focuses on the Antarctic and on other aspects of Shackleton's life. About three or four years ago, I took part in a project a local school did on Shackleton's leadership and what pupils could learn from it. It was amazing to participate and the young people took a lot from it. The five elements of Shackleton's leadership are inspiring optimism; developing a clear, shared purpose; building unity and commitment; creating a plan and an alternative plan, and being flexible about both; and making tough decisions. We can all learn a lot from the courage and commitment that Shackleton showed to his team and his immense contribution to exploration and geographic discovery.

I also give accolades to those involved with the museum, Frank Taaffe, Judith O'Brien and Margaret Walsh. Anybody who goes to the museum, and wants to have a tour and to learn, can learn a lot from Margaret and the team there. It is wonderful to talk about Shackleton and what he represents. We are looking forward to the new museum. I endorse this motion.