Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

Sula thosnóidh mé, ba mhaith liom comhgairdeas a ghabháil leis na hAirí nua, na Teachtaí Phil Hogan agus Willie Penrose.

I support the remarks made by Deputy Jim Daly about plastic bags. If we could get to a ban on plastic bags it would be a good thing. It is important to say that because some of what I say subsequently may appear to contradict this point. The legislation up to this point has greatly improved the situation. An increase in the levy is a good idea but it would be good if we got to the point where plastic bags were ultimately banned.

I do not remember who made the remark about packaging. The more we can encourage businesses to present products with the least amount of packaging, the better. Recently I took delivery of a computer and the amount of packaging was incredible. So many things are over-packaged and it adds to the cost and disposal problems. I would appreciate if that could be examined.

No other Member has referred to the following proposal in the context of this Bill, which I support. I ask the Minister to consider it. In public areas in my constituency and throughout the country, in parks, playgrounds and sports fields there is a problem of widespread consumption of alcohol at night time. Part of the problem concerns the consumption of alcohol but one of the side effects is the tremendous amount of litter left behind by those who drink alcohol. The major problem I have is that the alcoholic beverages are sold in glass containers. I appreciate that they are also sold in plastic and aluminium containers but I will focus on the glass bottles. The glass tends to be broken when it is left behind and this causes considerable problems in parks and other public places. It is difficult to deal with glass. Aluminium cans and plastic containers can be easily collected by citizens and council staff who do their utmost to keep places tidy. Smashed glass is much more difficult for citizens or staff to clean.

I receive complaints from people bringing dogs into parks about their pets' feet being cut. Parents have difficulty bringing children into parks because of broken glass. People involved in the management of football teams frequently complain about the state of pitches due to the fact that broken glass is strewn all over the pitch. Before they go training or before they play a match, they must spend time walking carefully across the pitch to ensure there is no glass that will cause problems to players. It is appalling that people who organise football teams and GAA teams should be presented with this problem. In the view of most people, those involved in this voluntary activity are the true patriots of this country. They do so much for the benefit of young people that they should not have to contend with this sort of problem. Organising matches and training should be sufficient work. While councils should clear up these areas, there is a limit to how much they can do. For that reason, I hope the Minister seriously considers this unorthodox suggestion. The sale of alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets should be in plastic or aluminium containers. While that would not alleviate the litter problem, it would remove the problem of broken glass in public areas. Football pitches would not have to be cleared before every training session or match and it would be much safer for children and pets to enter parks. Encouraging the use of plastic is not a great idea but I do not know any way around this problem. It is important for those who want to use public areas that they can do so safely. Such a measure would help in this regard.

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