Earlier this year, the Minister launched an important report in Clonakilty on wintering waterbirds. It highlighted the important good data habitat protection and the work being done by local communities. However, we also need to deal with the gaps. We still do not have a national bag data collection system. That has been an issue for years. The National Association of Regional Game Councils, which represents thousands of people in rural Ireland, has repeatedly offered to work with the Department to provide that data. It is willing to help and be part of the solution but there has been no real progress. I raised this with the Department through parliamentary questions last week, including the review of the memorandum of understanding and the suspension of the stakeholders forum. The responses I received did little to ease the concern. There is still too much uncertainty and not enough clear communication. That is not how to build trust or encourage people to engage. When we talk about biodiversity we have to look at what is happening on the ground. These are the facts. In parts of west Cork, we still have raw sewage leaking into beautiful rivers that were clean at one time, and coastal waters. That is the reality for the people of Rosscarbery, Shannonvale, Dunmanway, Ballydehob, Goleen and all these communities. I have raised this issue time and again, but it has still not been properly addressed. We cannot talk about protecting biodiversity while allowing that kind of damage to continue. Clean water is the most basic requirement for protecting habitats, wildlife and local ecosystems. People in west Cork are frustrated. They feel left behind while these issues drag on. If we are serious about biodiversity, we need to get the basics right. That means proper wastewater infrastructure, real engagement with the stakeholders and delivery on the ground. Rural communities have the knowledge and the willingness to play their part, but they should not be left on the sidelines.

Sentiment score: 0.11