Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It nearly does but I will move on to my notes. As the Minister of State knows, the scientific argument for this Bill is impressive, but I am not a scientist or an ecologist. I have left it to other colleagues to address the scientific merits. All I will say is that, from my lay person's perspective, the threat of hybridisation to the native Irish honeybee warrants this legislative protection. That is why the Bill is most welcome.

I will instead look at some of the legal questions around the Bill. It has incredible support from 90% of beekeepers throughout Ireland. Some concerns were raised about how it impinges on freedom of trade within the EU. However, at a briefing this morning, Cliona Kimber, senior counsel, argued that not only is it possible to ban the import of non-native honeybees, there is a requirement for us to act.We can point to many EU treaties that allow us have exemptions to free trade, but I mention just one, namely, Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. It states: "Invasive alien species represent one of the main threats to biodiversity...especially in geographically and evolutionarily isolated ecosystems, such as...islands". Ireland, as an island, is a single ecological unit. The free trade in bees from abroad is a threat to the native population, so we can avail of exemptions to free trade for islands. It underscores the point that if we are going to address the biodiversity crisis, it will very often need to be done on an all-Ireland basis.

One of the other legal questions raised is, if we ban the importation of bees down here, could they still be imported through the North. Donnchadh Woulfe of Comhshaol address this point. In Britain, there is a ban on the importation of broods. The North is exempt from this British ban under the protocol because of the need to align with EU law and this jurisdiction, which has no ban. However, if we were to bring in this ban down here, the reason for exemption would go away. Thus there is no fear of broods coming in the back door. However, non-native queens could still be imported under British law if it was applied in the North. That is why, as I understand it, the assembly could work to introduce a similar ban up there as we are debating here. I will be raising this with my colleagues in the North so that they can advance this solution when the Executive is up and running, which I hope will be sooner rather than later. Colleagues in the Green Party will no doubt do likewise.

I conclude by paying tribute to Senator Vincent P. Martin for all his work in drafting the Bill in collaboration with Comhshaol, the climate bar association. He found an issue that has not only widespread support among beekeepers across Ireland, but crucially, among Seanadóirí from across the House. I hope the Minister of State, as a proud and respected Member of this House, will keep that in mind as we progress this legislation. In commending Senator Martin and wishing him well, I hope we get to see this back speedily.