Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

The Minister mentioned a review of the permit system in response to Deputy Wallace. Around the country GAA clubs have what is termed "scrap Saturday", and I am sure the Minister has heard of examples in Kilkenny. My local club, Patrickswell, organised a "scrap Saturday", where the community brings all the waste scrap to the local GAA grounds and it in turn sells it on and it is used as a fund-raising vehicle. The local authority pulled the plug on it because it did not have the correct permit. It was a disgrace. When the Minister is conducting a review of the permit arrangement, he should look at the activities of legitimate voluntary clubs and organisations because they are, in effect, providing an environmental service. The decision of Limerick County Council beat all. Other clubs in the county had been engaging in similar activities under the radar and raised significant amounts of money towards the running costs of the clubs which we all support and promote. I just wanted to make the Minister aware of this.

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