2026-03-18

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to enable the state to accede to the Antarctic Treaty done at Washington on 1 December 1959 and to certain related instruments, including the protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty done at Madrid on 4 October 1991; and to provide for related matters. The Antarctic Treaty (Accession and Implementation) Bill proposes that Ireland become the 59th country to accede to the Antarctic Treaty System. As a country, we have always been deeply committed to multilateralism. We believe strongly in joining international peaceful organisations and working with other nations to achieve common cause for this planet. The Antarctic Treaty System recognises that the Antarctic, the southern continent, should only ever be used for peaceful purposes. It also provides a framework whereby research can be carried out in that area. It has been in operation since 1959, with 12 signatories originally. As I said, 46 others have joined since. We are currently the most populous member state of the European Union that is not in membership, while similar-sized countries in the EU, such as Finland, Slovakia and Denmark, are in membership. Ireland has had a long and rich history and association with the Antarctic and Antarctic exploration. Indeed, Edward Bransfield from Midleton was the individual who had the first verified sighting of Antarctic recorded in 1820. During the 19th century Francis Crozier from Banbridge carried out much of the mapping of Antarctica. People in the House and around the country are very familiar with the stories of Tom Crean and Ernest Shackleton, incredible individuals from the era of exploration, and their stories continue to inspire. The Bill should not just be because of history and Ireland's long historic association. It should also be about enabling a new generation of researchers to engage with those from other countries on the critical issues of research that shape this planet. Obviously, a lot of research is being done in stations in the Antarctic, particularly around areas of climate, astronomy and marine biology. What happens to our polar caps in the Arctic and the Antarctic has a crucial impact on what happens, particularly to our oceans and our climate, and that impacts here. I have a particular interest in this, and I am probably unusual in that I have visited Antarctica. I have also been inside the Arctic Circle. I have a particular fascination with the polar caps. Antarctica is the most beautiful place you could ever visit and I would certainly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to do so to see it. It shapes your view of the world in a very different way. We should be providing similar opportunities to so many of our researchers. The Bill would also allow us, from Ireland's perspective, to say very clearly in a formal sense that we believe the southern continent should only be used for peaceful purposes and should never be exploited, particularly when it comes to the risk of it being exploited for fossil fuels. This is a relatively simple Bill and I would hope it could be moved reasonably quickly through these Houses. It designates the Minister for foreign affairs as the Minister who would be responsible, that we would sign up to the Antarctic treaty system, and that we would nominate representatives to consultative meetings and to meetings on environmental protection that come up. As part of our programme on making people much more aware of climate change and what is going on in our polar caps, it would be critical. The legislation very much acknowledges the specially protected areas in the Antarctic. Given some of the challenges we see for climate, it is important that Ireland says to those who may wish to exploit it that this is not acceptable, and that in this we join with many other countries, and I have mentioned the 58 which are already signatories, including many of our EU partners. I feel very invested in this. For so many people who have been inspired by the great stories of polar expedition, it is very important. In many of our universities there are many researchers who would relish the opportunity to partner on some of these projects. Therefore, I encourage the Government to adopt the Bill as quickly as possible.

Is the Bill opposed?

No.

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."