Malcolm Noonan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have two environmental issues to raise. One is the call today by Professor Peter Thorne, chair of the adaptation committee of the Climate Change Advisory Council, for a national climate damage register. We have had extensive debate here on Storm Éowyn and this call by the Climate Change Advisory Council is something we in the House should support. In its ask, the council stated:

Proactive action can and must improve our preparedness for and response to rapidly emerging climate risks, to protect and support people, and future proof our communities. This must be underpinned by robust climate data and services.

This is a really important ask. Peter Thorne spoke of procrastination. I was a member of the previous Government and the charge of not following up on this extends out to that Government. It is something we should be united in calling for.

The second issue is an Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report on early insights into nitrogen levels of 2024. There are some very good indications of reductions in nitrogen going into 20 watercourses that were surveyed. Dr. Eimear Cotter speaks very positively of the progress that has been made but, obviously, there are parts of the country, such as my area of the south east, where nitrogen is still a pervasive problem.As far as I am concerned, the only game in town is the water action plan which I launched last year in Kilkenny. I do not think we need another Cabinet committee to oversee this but it is important that the committee, if it is going to convene, does so with urgency. I do not think it is the answer, however. The water action plan gives us a way forward to meet the objectives of the water framework directive. All of us in this House are united on the need for the retention of the nitrates derogation. The loss of the derogation would be devastating to rural Ireland and rural economies. The only solution to it is to ensure the water action plan is implemented in full.

The Government needs to sign off on the climate and nature fund. The measures and details of the fund still have not been brought forward. This will give certainty to farmers. We have a farming for water European Innovation Partnership which farmers are signing up to, including derogation farmers, many of whom are doing great work in catchments and are working collaboratively with other organisations such as LAWPRO.

It is really important that certainty is given to farmers. Certainty, funding and the right path forward will help us achieve our objectives. I welcome this report. It is important the Government continues on the trajectory we started in the last Government.