Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I am proud to co-sponsor the Bill brought forward by Senator Martin. It is a really good piece of work. I hope it is speeded through the Lower House. It will affect every corner and hedgerow across Ireland. If we look to something with wide-reaching implications, it is this legislation.

Senator Martin mentioned two halves in terms of the Seanad and the Dáil but there are also two parts to this. We are looking to protect our pollinators. The vital importance of pollinators has been spoken about for horticulture and so on. They are also a crucial part of knowing we are living in a space, a country and an ecosystem that is alive with biodiversity. There are two parts: protection of pollinators and protection of habitat. It was eloquently described how perfectly the native Irish honey bee is adapted to our climate, habitat and environment.

I have often engaged with the Minister of State on measures I believe crucial to protecting and enhancing our habitats. That environment to which the Irish honey bee is so well adapted is itself under threat, unfortunately, in the wild spaces and ecosystems across Ireland. Alongside that is the protection of the bee itself.

I will make two points that are important as the Bill moves to the Lower House. There was discussion of where it fits within EU law. It seemed to me explicitly clear that the protective principle applies in EU law. There is a clear remit allowing for appropriate actions in the horticultural area and others, such as measures to protect against hybridisation. Hybridisation is one of the impacts of importing other bees; we have also often see pathogens and disease come attached to those importations.

The Acting Chairperson and I talk about the sustainable development goals a great deal. Within the wonderful blueprint of the sustainable development goals, it is included explicitly. These are the goals the State signed up to and helped negotiate. Target 15.8.1 includes an explicit test, which is the "Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species". We have explicitly signed up to bringing forward this kind of legislation.

I encourage every support for the Bill as it goes forward to the Lower House. I commend Senator Martin, all the advocates and all those who work with the native Irish honey bee across the country.