Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will bring back those questions to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. His office is directly opposite mine on the corridor. I have no doubt he will also engage with this Oxfam-led initiative.

Adherence to environmental rules is a safeguard for preserving biodiversity health and sustainable progress over time. It is difficult to process the drivers for the loss of biodiversity through deliberate disregard of the law by some. There is no doubt action is needed to thwart this. The NPWS, in collaboration with other authorities and public support, remains committed to taking action to protect our nature and biodiversity. It is clear the majority of people want to protect nature. We see Tidy Towns groups the length and breadth of the country working hard in their communities. There is an onus on all of us to enable them and to deter and prosecute those who do not support or protect nature. Education and increasing awareness, together with citizen reporting, are essential elements in safeguarding nature and helping to prevent wildlife crime. If a suspected wildlife crime or possible breach of wildlife legalisation has taken place, reports can be made to the local NPWS office or An Garda Síochána. Contact details are available who anyone who wants to do this. We are at a turning point in the way we view and think about the natural world and our place within it. There are an awful lot of good people who want to see the natural world retained and looked after. I will bring the Senator's concerns back to the Minister of State.