Mr. James Walsh:

I am not calling for further restrictions. The restrictions are already there. The law is already there. By law they cannot do it but they do not know the law. I am calling for signs in the shops, where it all begins when the person goes in to buy, so that there is a clear sign to say it is illegal to spray along public roads or other areas used by the public and that fines will be incurred.

Another option, given that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is understaffed and cannot enforce this, is for An Garda Síochána to be made aware of the legislation so its members are able to respond. If I see someone spraying at a caravan park, public playground or along the road coming into a village, I should be able to ring the gardaí, who could come down within 20 minutes, have a chat with the person and let him or her know that such spraying is illegal. I have also included as an option, while the ban is relatively new and people are still unaware of it, the hiring of pesticide control wardens, similar to dog wardens or traffic wardens who could leave a warning with people or tell them about the law. The main focus, however, is the shops, which is where it all begins. They should display warning signs making it clear that it is a criminal offence to spray pesticides in public areas. That would be good.