Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

It is fitting to welcome Councillor Leah Cull to the Chamber this afternoon. She is from the biodiverse-rich area of Arigna in north Roscommon so it is topical she is here. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak during biodiversity week. It is a time to reflect on the beauty, resilience and importance of our natural world and to celebrate the local efforts to make a real difference in preserving it. In County Roscommon, we are very proud to lead by example, and across our towns and countryside individuals, communities and organisations are coming together to safeguard and enhance our biodiversity, not just for today but for generations to come.

We have seen powerful work in agricultural communities. The Farming Rathcroghan project is helping to reimagine how we farm, blending heritage and innovation to promote biodiversity on farms while preserving the historical landscape of the Rathcroghan region. As part of the Rathcroghan farming model, we are proud to see the revival and recognition of traditional skills that connect our farming practices with our culture and archaeological heritage. One such skill is dry stone construction which has now been formally recognised as part of Ireland's intangible cultural heritage and inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage representative list. Within the Rathcroghan landscape, techniques such as dry stone walling and hedge laying play a crucial role, not only in supporting biodiversity by creating habitats and corridors for wildlife but also in enhancing the landscape setting of archaeological monuments. These skills reflect a deep-rooted respect for the land and its history and are a vital part of how we farm with nature and heritage in mind. I congratulate Richie Farrell, who runs the project in Rathcroghan, and the team around him.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring examples is in Taghmaconnell, where the Karst Farming Group is doing pioneering work. The recently published biodiversity report shines a light on the unique karst landscape, a fragile and precious system of limestone soils, wetlands and underground water systems. This report does not just document the richness of local flora and fauna, it sets out a community-led vision for how farming and biodiversity can thrive together. I was delighted to see on Monday funding of €1.6 million approved from the recent European Innovation Partnership under the CAP strategic plan for connecting old and new farming technologies to conserve the unique species of the karst grassland.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the great work of our local GAA clubs on the green club programme. GAA clubs across Roscommon have embraced the role of environmental stewards, promoting sustainability through actions such as pollinator friendly planting, energy conservation and waste reduction. It is a brilliant example of sport and sustainability going hand in hand.

These are not just isolated projects. They are connected by a shared vision, which is one of respect for nature, pride in our local environment and a commitment to acting locally to solve global challenges. As we mark biodiversity week, let us recognise and support these efforts and be inspired to do more, because protecting biodiversity is not just the job of experts, it is a role we all share. Whether it is planting for pollinators, supporting sustainable farming or simply cherishing the wild spaces around us, as my colleague Senator Noonan mentioned, every action counts.