Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. It is appropriate that she is here because I know she has a great understanding of this area, particularly when we talk about habitats, biodiversity, research, etc. It is apt that she is here to preside over this Bill.

I want to thank Senator Martin in particular for his enthusiasm. From day one, he has been talking about the bee. We have certainly had lovely gifts of honey from him. He is a great ambassador for the native Irish bee and I want to acknowledge that. He has engaged and tapped into many people and I have received many emails. Politicians know that email is nearly like a barometer of public opinion, public support and public lobbying, and he has certainly done that well. I acknowledge the campaign Senator Martin has run in this regard.

It is also important that we acknowledge the co-sponsors of the Bill, Senators Martin, McGreehan, Garvey, Seery Kearney, Boylan, Ó Donnghaile, Norris, Higgins, Craughwell, Gavan, Warfield and Wall. That indicates the cross-party dynamic that exists and cross-party support for the Bill, which is, as the previous speaker indicated, very important. It is important because it brings that sense of unity, purpose and function.

I want to say a few things about the Bill without going into detail. I fully support the Bill and I will be voting on every stage. However, let us not use language that it somehow might be delayed by civil servants or anybody else. We are the politicians. This is the Legislature. These are the Houses of the Oireachtas – the Dáil and the Seanad. This Bill is going to be happen. It has to be driven by the legislators; it has to be driven by the Deputies and Senators. I do not want to hear in six months time some sort of excuse that it is going to get a Second Reading or Third Reading, or it is going to be gathering dust, or "We have ticked a few boxes, kept a few people happy and they are off our back - get the monkey off our back." I want to see real progress. I put that challenge to Senator Martin, who is a member of a Government party, in particular. He can drive this. He will have support across the Houses. I will be supporting him. However, I want to see that being driven because it is important. As I said, I acknowledge that cross-party support.

It is important that we do not lose sight of the habitat of the bee. It is important that we look at biodiversity and that we help to increase the rich flora which is very important for the bee. The bee is a pollinator. We know the role and significance of pollinators and the need to create habitats where bees can thrive.

It is important that we have further education. This is not that simple for people to understand so we need simple, clear language about it. Of course, we also need to look at the issue of research. Senator Martin talked about the varroa mite, which is a real issue in the context of bees. There are very significant issues and we need a multifaceted approach. It is about protecting the bee but also, as I said, it is about talking about habitats, biodiversity, education and research, because that is all part of it. It is also about how we can help in terms of Irish honey and the Irish bee. It is important that we put our hands in our pockets and support the produce. There are many ways in which we can support this.

I thank the guests in the Visitors Gallery. It is great to see so many people. The Gallery has not been full for a long time, certainly not with as many people as are here today. I thank them all. Their presence today is very significant and it endorses the importance of this legislation. I thank the Senators from across the parties who have signed up to this Bill. In particular, I thank Senator Martin for his continuous and positive engagement to drive this legislation. I wish him every success. He will have my absolute support at every stage of this Bill.