[Translation: World Oceans Day was celebrated on Saturday. This day is celebrated every year to remind everyone of the importance of our oceans. Oceans are the lungs of the world. More than 50% of our oxygen comes from the oceans. They are also where most of the world’s biodiversity is to be found. However, the oceans are in a bad way: 90% of the big fish stocks have been depleted; 50% of coral reefs have been destroyed; and, every day, more is taken from the sea than it can replace. That is not sustainable. However, as the organisers of World Oceans Day said, the world is deaf to figures. Figures are not enough to motivate people, and, for that reason, the efforts made so far to protect the oceans have only skimmed the surface. If the situation is to change, we must wake up. That was the theme of this year’s World Oceans Day: awaken new depths. The United Nations is trying to awaken a citizens’ movement for the oceans, and it wants to do that by bringing together policymakers, indigenous leaders, scientists, the private sector and youth activists. All of us need to change our attitude to the oceans; we need to find ways to protect and sustainably manage our oceans. On this island of ours, we have the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast, the Celtic Sea on the south coast, the Irish Sea on the east coast, and the North Channel on the north coast. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I hope that we here in Ireland will be able to play our part in the movement for the oceans. ]

That concludes Members' statements.