Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank the Senators who have contributed. I welcome the visitors to the Gallery and acknowledge their genuine passion to protect Apis mellifera mellifera. On behalf of the Government, I acknowledge also Senators' commitment to protecting the native Irish honeybee. Clearly, the support across the House is stark; it is across all parties and none. While I was in the Chamber earlier for the Order of Business, officials from my Department met the representatives of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society outside Leinster House to reassure them of the Department's commitment to the protection of the species. I understand they have agreed to meet formally with the society in the coming weeks to discuss how we can best work together to deliver the protection for this special bee.

Bees and other pollinators have thrived for years, ensuring food security and nutrition and maintaining biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems for plants, humans and the bees themselves. I was struck by Senator Martin saying in his introduction that bees breed in the open. It is so true. As farmers, we certainly strive to prevent our livestock breeding out in the open but it does not always work. However, many Senators will be aware the Government has some concerns a statutory ban on bee imports into Ireland would constitute a restriction on trade under EU regulations. I am aware that has been debated in the House today. We are taking advice around the compatibility of the Bill with EU Single Market rules. As Senator Martin highlighted in his opening statement, any such restriction on trade would have to be demonstrably necessary and proportionate to achieve an objective permitted by EU law. Furthermore, it would also need to be demonstrated it would not be possible to achieve the policy objectives proposed, namely, protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, without such a restriction on trade and by any less stringent measures. Additionally, it would be necessary to establish based on robust scientific evidence there is a threat to the native Irish honeybee arising from the importation of non-native species. Senator Lombard raised a concern that would need to be examined and fully addressed around the all-island nature of this and how we might be able to operate this Bill on such a basis. That is something that will also need to be ironed out. Senator Martin may or may not address this in his closing statement but it is an issue.

There are other concerns that need to be addressed but, as Senator McGreehan said, let us look at this. We are willing to look at this and let us see what we can do to fix this. I understand during Covid there has been something of a proliferation of beekeepers. I have spoken to some of those casually and asked people what type of bee they have and they do not know. The education piece Senator Boylan mentioned is therefore important and something my Department has tried to support. We must be careful here and people need to be educated not just on the management of the bees but also the species they are purchasing and where and how they are doing that.

The Government and my Department have put in many supports to date to protect the native Irish honeybee. These were not only about raising awareness among beekeepers about the importance of that native species. Funding has been provided by my Department through the scheme for the conservation of genetic resources and the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector. There will also be supports for apiculture under the next round of the CAP.We try to support beekeepers in sourcing native bees to assist breeding activities and ensure they are available to meet beekeeper demand. Support is also being provided to beekeeping organisations, including financial support, for the conservation of the native Irish honeybee. There is a focus on education and awareness-raising initiatives aimed at new beekeepers.

Senator Higgins spoke about the urban context of biodiversity and pollinators. Senator Seery Kearney also addressed that matter. I am pleased to announce that, last month, we saw the reintroduction of native Irish honeybee hives to the roof of Agriculture House, which is in the middle of the city. Those bees are doing their bit for pollinators on St. Stephen's Green, Merrion Square or however far they fly. It is nice to know that they are up there.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025 is a new five-year roadmap that aims to help bees, other pollinating insects and our wider biodiversity. It includes the All-Ireland Honey Bee Strategy 2021-2025, which seeks to conserve not only the native Irish honeybee, but also our bumblebee and solitary bee populations.

I thank Senators once again for their interactions and comments. Their contributions were valuable. I look forward to engaging further with them on the progression of this Bill once the Government has received the detailed legal and technical advice around its concerns.