Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are all in agreement that there needs to be a move away from our linear economy. Functional obsolescence is a feature of some goods. While previously computer hard drives and other parts would have been replaced, this no longer happens. When it comes to laptops, I do not know what type of skill set a person would need to be able to open one up. Mobile phone batteries become obsolete after about six months' use. I am probably operating a false economy in that I carry a fully charged power pack with me just to keep my mobile phone charged. That probably says more about my laziness in terms of not going to a shop to buy a new phone. That is something we need to address.

We all accept that single-use plastics such as are visible in our shopping centres are an absolute disaster. We have all been sinners in regard to the non-recyclable cups. As in an awful lot of scenarios, while we can all seek to become somewhat more organised, there is an element of State intervention required, although I accept that nobody is going to welcome another increase in cost at this time. There are wider issues that need to be dealt with, but that is for other debates, of which there will be many.

In regard to the moves with regard to climate change, as shown in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Government response to deal with the Ukrainian crisis, it is clear the State needs to do the heavy lifting and it has to be facilitated to do that. In regard to facilitating repair, washing machines, dishwashers and so on are built on the basis they can be repaired. That is an absolute necessity. On packaging, it goes without saying that that needs to be addressed.

On local authorities, everybody welcomes they are to be permitted to install CCTV and drones to monitor the huge levels of criminality. Local authorities are under severe pressure in this regard. We need a greater suite of tools. There may be a need for all of us at particular times to prove we have bins, use recycling centres and so on. I know things have changed in regard to council tenants, but it has to be for all of us. Anybody present who was previously a councillor will recall the many photos of mattresses they put up. I recall that at one point I had planned a clean-up in Muirhevnamore in Dundalk and, as I was concerned I had not given sufficient notice, I went on radio about it. It was the worst thing I could have done because people came from everywhere and they dumped all sorts. We need to deal with illegal dumpers.

We need more information in regard to the circular economy fund and, beyond that, we need to thank residents' groups, including the local group in the town I come from, and Tidy Towns across Louth and this State, who have done great work. We have to facilitate them. We also have to facilitate local authorities, where they do not necessarily have the funding.

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