Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before the break, Senator Chambers spoke about hunger in Afghanistan and the very severe food crisis there at the moment. Yemen, as we know, is also experiencing a very serious famine.Perhaps a debate on food security and famine would be appropriate.

An issue that has arisen over the course of the Order of Business relates to the proposed military activities within the 200 nautical miles of Ireland's exclusive economic zone, EEZ. There has been much focus on the Irish Aviation Authority and the information it has sought and received but the key issue relates to the marine information, particularly that which relates to sonar and noise levels. That information is relevant because Ireland has responsibilities under the habitats directive and Natura 2000. The EU law is clear that environmental responsibilities extend throughout a country’s EEZ.

Given that is Ireland's responsibility as part of EU law, it would be appropriate for the Government and others to regulate sonar and noise activities in that area and, as well as using those instruments of regulation and taking account of that primary law, to ensure we monitor, seek and require relevant environmental information on sonar. That is important particularly for the habitats of cetaceans, given that in the past, links have been drawn between naval and military exercises and the mass stranding of whales and dolphins. Ireland, as a neutral country, has always been strong on international law being the way in which we engage constructively. This environmental law is an appropriate instrument through which we can engage, and we can then partner with appropriate civilian or scientific partners. Those are areas we might want to consider and that might be useful. Perhaps if we have debates in these areas, those issues should be part of that, as well as being instruments we can begin to use now.