Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Heritage Council funding for biodiversity officers for a number of local authorities that was announced this morning. We still need to see more local authorities come on board. Funding has been announced for Galway County Council and it is at an advanced stage of getting that person on board, but we also need to see it for Roscommon.

Biodiversity is important. We see it happening. In Roscommon we have the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project which has been amazing. It has been bringing landowners together with ecologists to protect the environment. The project manages the landscape to protect curlews. The shooting or hunting club works with farmers and landowners to protect curlews. One of the highest numbers of pairs of curlews in Ireland are based in the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project. This is a shining light for so many areas . It is based in the bogs around Moore and it is crucial.

Biodiversity happens in our communities and it is important we have officers to help and work with communities, farmers and landowners on the ground. Everything is not separate to policies in headquarters in local authorities. It must happen with community groups on the ground. I acknowledge that and the people who do the work such as Galway's Living Bog in Mountbellew which is another great project. It is making the bog come alive for community groups and students. It has built a walkway where people can explore and see some of the bogs and wetland areas. It is wetlands day today.