Across Ireland, we can see the absence of a lot of wildlife, nature and biodiversity that was commonplace when we were all growing up or even 20 years ago. Rivers that were teeming with fish are now polluted and butterflies are a rare occurrence. We are witnessing the destruction of natural habitats. The warning signs are there and clear for everybody to see. One third of Ireland’s 99 bee species, the main pollinators of all plant life, are now threatened with extinction. I pay a particular tribute to the Irish beekeeper and writer, Bruce Copeland, who lives in Tinahely. He is publicly advocating for the enactment of the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill in this Oireachtas. We need to pass this Bill during this term. The World Bee Sanctuary is near Coolafancy, which is close to the Wicklow-Wexford border, run by Paul Handrick and his wife Clare-Louise Donelan. It is particularly commendable. I am also proud that Wexford and Wicklow were the first two counties to declare a biodiversity emergency, recognising that urgent action is required to protect wildlife and natural habitats for future generations. I also commend Wexford County Council on its efforts to clean up the heavily polluted Our Lady’s Island lake. In both counties, we are very fortunate to live beside some of the most beautiful landscapes in Ireland, from forests and mountains to our beaches, from Brittas Bay down to Morriscastle, Curracloe and beyond. We are also home to some of the truly special national and natural treasures in Ireland, such as the last remaining oak forest at Tomnafinnoge near Tinahely, close to where I live. There are also two wonderful deciduous forests in Courtown and Ballyfad, which are vital rich habitats for birds, insects, fungi and wildlife found nowhere else. These ancient woodlands remind us of what Gaelic Ireland once looked like before it was plundered and pillaged and why protecting our natural environment matters so much in terms of reclaiming the Irish nation. I commend voluntary groups such as those behind the 100 Million Trees Project, the Mulcahys, who live close to where I live. The aim is to have 110 million trees planted throughout the ancient island of Ireland, including at Kilmichael Point, Kilpatrick, Castletown, Moneygarrow, near Arklow, Servier Industries in Arklow, Clogga, and Gorey district park. Unfortunately, our Government has the worst record in Europe for developing deciduous forest cover and this has to change. We have the beautiful Blackstairs Mountains overlooking Bunclody, with unique biodiversity. We should take the opportunity to develop this as a national park. I would like to see that happening during this term. We have a beautiful gem in Tara Hill, close to the coast near Gorey. The local development association, which is encouraging biodiversity on the hill, needs to be given every support possible. The Government missed a huge opportunity with the recent auction of Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in Leinster and County Wicklow. The State could have bought the mountain and developed it as a national park with real benefits for biodiversity. It is still not too late. Hopefully, the declaration of an emergency will focus our minds on enacting policies locally, which will help to tackle the crisis in our midst.

Sentiment score: 0.22