I agree with the Cathaoirleach.

The 2018 sustainable development goals report, Global Responsibilities - Implementing the Goals, was issued just this week. This index is a measure of progress across all 17 sustainable development goals. Countries like Sweden, Denmark and Finland are top of the ranking in terms of their progress towards achieving their goals by 2030. It was no shock to see that, with regard to the sustainable development goals relating to the environment, Ireland is on the red list, which means we have a very poor status. When it comes to the proportion of renewable energy in the total amount of electricity we consume, we have a red mark and a very poor rating. When it comes to responsible consumption and production, again Ireland fares really badly. On climate action and energy emissions, again we see a red dot and Ireland performing very poorly. On sustainable development goal 14, life below water, Ireland receives a red dot in respect of ocean health. Ireland again performs very badly. We seem to be missing leadership when it comes to environment and water health. In fact, with regard to life on land, Ireland is not performing and receives a red mark in respect of the annual change in forest area. We are not, in any way, moving towards achieving the sustainable development goals we have signed up to by 2030.

I want the Members of the House to be aware of this. We have to work together and we have to try to meet our international obligations. We have to work together to put pressure on the Government and on Members of all parties and none to work towards protecting the Irish environment. This index shows we are not measuring up whatsoever, so we need to take action.

In the context of the possible forthcoming presidential election, I have to say that it is very disillusioning to see the three principal political parties, that is, all the principal parties except for Sinn Féin, attempting to close off the nomination process. It is quite wrong.

On a point of information, the Fine Gael Party has not yet made a decision. The Senator is again misinforming the House.

The Leader will have a chance and ample opportunity to respond in his reply.

Senator Norris has been misinforming the House all week.

The Leader can correct the record later. He should not interrupt.

He is being left-----

Senior people in Fine Gael are briefing the media on this repeatedly.

I was talking about Fine Gael, not Fianna Fáil, but they are all in it. All the political parties are in it. They are doing their very best to close off the nomination process and prevent the ordinary people having any access to the nomination process for the Presidency of Ireland.

There he goes again.

They are not interested in it themselves. They want to save their money. They could not be bothered and do not think that there is anybody of sufficient talent within their own ranks. Perhaps they are right. Perhaps there is nobody of talent in these parties. They should not seek, however, to close off the nomination process from the ordinary people. I am delighted that the councillors are rebelling. I would like to incite this rebellion in the councillors. It is one of the most important powers they have.