Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

All they are doing is instilling fear in people in rural Ireland whom, like Deputy Mattie McGrath, I represent and care about.

The An Taisce green school flag system operates throughout the country. It is a wonderful endeavour on the part of primary and secondary schools and some third level colleges to encourage young people to make the connection between people and the environment. Years ago people turned a blind eye to dumping, the sources of pollution and so on. We now know, through education, that we are connected with the environment and it is important that our legacy is worthy. Children know much more about littering, pollution, energy conservation and so on and it is a joy to listen to them. It is a credit to communities that they are being brought up to have respect for their environment.

I commend the Minister for introducing the Bill. Deputy Mattie McGrath has left the Chamber and, unfortunately, Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív is not present. I learned from----

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