The Siberian tiger and the giant panda are among the world's most endangered animals. Here in Ireland a range of less exotic species - such as the red squirrel and the corncrake - are facing an uncertain future. And we all have an obligation to ensure their survival in order to maintain biodiversity and to enrich the lives of our descendants.
A public awareness campaign, entitled "Notice Nature", was launched yesterday at the Department of the Environment to draw attention to the threat of extinction facing more than 150 kinds of Irish birds, animals, insects and plants arising from farming and forestry practices, the construction industry and urbanisation. A series of local meetings will be held during the coming months to identify the plants and animals that are under threat and to advise various interests of the measures that may be taken to protect them.
This is a welcome development at a time when Ireland is becoming increasingly urbanised and traditional links with the land are weakening. Wildlife, in all its manifestations, has the capacity to enrich outdoor experiences for everyone and to bring farmers and townies together in pursuit of a common objective. The Government has entered into commitments under the Rio de Janeiro Convention to protect biodiversity. And the European Union aims to halt the loss of species by 2010. But that programme will take commitment, careful negotiations and hard work if it is to succeed.
Ireland's pre-decimal coinage represented the salmon, the mountain hare and the woodcock as important species for the economy, along with such farmyard animals as the hen, the pig, the bull and the horse. Today, the populations of 18 bird species have crashed and some of our 31 types of mammal have become rare. But there is room for hope, as the Government's action to protect endangered salmon stocks makes clear.
There is other good news. This summer, the Wildlife Service will reintroduce the white-tailed sea eagle to the national park in Killarney. And there has been strong local support in Donegal for the successful reintroduction of golden eagles there. These beautiful birds represent add-on value for the tourism industry. Last year, provision was made to compensate farmers and other interests for losses incurred as a result of protecting endangered wildlife. That is as it should be. We are all in this together. Farmers, foresters and construction companies should contribute to the common good through sensitive work practices that protect the environment and enrich everyday living.