Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming here directly. He is very conscious and proud of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, as am I, and I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to deal with this matter.

I want to put a few points about the National Parks and Wildlife Service on the public record. I believe that it is always important to set the scene for the people looking in at these proceedings because when we are in here, we sometimes talk in a bubble. The role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is to secure the conservation of a representative range of ecosystems, and to maintain and enhance the populations of flora and fauna in Ireland.According to the NPWS website, it is also "to designate and advise on the protection of habitats and species identified for nature conservation", including natural heritage areas, special areas of conservation and special protection areas, "having particular regard to the need to consult with interested parties". It is also responsible for making "the necessary arrangements for the implementation of National and EU legislation and policies for nature conservation and biodiversity including the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, and for the ratification and implementation of the range of international Conventions and Agreements relating to the natural heritage." Its role is also to "manage, maintain and develop State-owned National Parks and Nature Reserves" and "promote awareness of natural heritage and biodiversity issues through education, outreach to schools and engaging with stakeholders". I have set out that framework. I am sure the Minister of State knows it well. As I said at the outset, he is very proud of the NPWS. I, too, am very proud of it. It is an extraordinary organisation.

However, I am also conscious that it needs resources and practical support. It has a huge role in education. I did not touch on the point to any great extent, but the organisation does amazing work with schools in outreach and education. I want to acknowledge that important work. An article was published in The Sunday Timeson 13 December 2021. I do not believe everything I read in every newspaper, but I will quote from the article. It states: "An unpublished government report on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has found it is unable to fulfil its current obligations due to limited resources and 'major' structural problems." It continues: "The highly critical report was commissioned by Malcolm Noonan, the Green party minister for heritage, under a commitment in the programme for government to review the nature protection agency’s remit, status and funding to ensure it was playing an 'effective role'." The Government made a commitment to review the agency's remit. That is fantastic. The article suggests that there are serious issues regarding funding and the agency's capacity to carry out its functions and work. I will not mention the names of people who may or may not be on the committee, because that is hearsay. I am not privy to that information.

In essence, what I am saying is that it is in our interest that we have a good, well-resourced NPWS. I know the Minister of State is committed to that.However, when members of the public read articles such as those published inThe Sunday Times, they are concerned. I understand that a 114-page report is sitting on the Minister of State's desk. It has been suggested to me that it makes certain recommendations and sets alarm bells ringing regarding a number of issues I have raised. Perhaps the Minister of State can touch on some of the contents of the report, if it is appropriate to do so. However, there is no pressure, because there are processes and consultations that the Minister of State has to go through. I fully understand and respect that. Perhaps sometime in the future the Minister of State can bring that report, or the key recommendations from it, to us. I ask the Minister of State to respond to some of the issues that I have raised.