Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I mentioned Carlow-Kilkenny all of the time when I was here. There will be a focus on bees, pollinators, trees, woodlands, rivers and water quality, etc. The staff at Kilkenny Castle give tips to gardeners on growing wildflowers and supporting pollinators. Walks and other initiatives are important. I could go on all day about places like Altamont Gardens in County Carlow. It is important for everyone to highlight their own area, to let people know what can be seen and done, and to explain how we can promote these places and make people aware of them. I am a firm believer that awareness is the key to many things. It is important to inform even a few people about something important that is happening.

We have spoken about the challenges. Funding is challenging. A lot of progress has been made in recent years to support biodiversity, in particular through the efforts of the NPWS and an executive agency under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Senator Boyhan mentioned city and county biodiversity officers. I know this initiative has had a huge positive influence. I know that in areas that did not previously have biodiversity officers, those officers have done amazing things like writing local biodiversity plans, conducting research surveys and data collection, providing advice to local authority staff on biodiversity, facilitating community engagement and raising awareness. While such changes may seem small, they are not - they are a huge game changer in the sense that we need to work on biodiversity.

In recent years, we have seen the fruits of the investment by the Government with a significant growth in action being taken to support and maintain our biodiversity. While the NPWS has been central to this work, it also relies heavily on collaboration with communities and landowners.People spoke about farmers today and the issues of ACRES and dry stone walls were raised. I can confirm that the National Parks and Wildlife Service will engage, as a matter of urgency, with the Department of agriculture on this very issue. I believe that was brought up earlier as well.

When we talk about our communities, landowners, farmers and recreational land use, it is all a collaborative response to our biodiversity crisis, and we have a crisis. We have our challenges. I know Senator Noonan has been highlighting this for a long time but we are aware. All of us can, whether it be through funding or whatever way we can and through the small things, make those changes. Let us ensure National Biodiversity Week is more than a moment of awareness. Let it be a springboard for sustained action and a commitment to leaving the natural world healthier, richer and more resilient than we found it.

We have to think of our children and the future and to make sure we look at this. However, as we get out to enjoy the nature in this wonderful period of sunny weather, please do not light fires, including barbecues, take the time to properly dispose of cigarettes butts and please bring home your waste. Remember that nature is home to our wildlife and plants. Leave them as you find them for everyone to enjoy.