Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

We all do. Ironically, other countries still use the product, often on our food products that we import. There is a certain contradiction in that that leaves me askance. If it was bad for us here, surely it is still bad. There is an ongoing international argument whereby in the countries in which it is still permissible to use it, it is seen as the lesser of evils, that it does more good than harm. This begs the question why we got rid of it in the first place. There is a contradiction in the whole area of the use of chemicals in the food sector, in particular in the growing of food and the use of herbicides, pesticides and so on. The reason I mention this is that it is timely to have a look at those items and ascertain whether the legislation covers all, any or none of those. I honestly do not know. Perhaps the Minister of State would refer to that in his reply. As an amateur gardener and food grower I take a special interest in these things.

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