Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take on board what the Minister of State is saying. I remember several years ago when I was an MEP and we brought in the regulations concerning mobile phone coverage and prices. The interesting thing about that development was that some country had to kick it off. Several countries came together and kicked such a measure off. Eventually, it got to the European Parliament and then went to the European Commission. We got there in the end with that measure and that is why we have the standardisation we have now in this context. I feel that we need to be leaders on this issue. I do not accept the Minister of State’s arguments regarding the appropriateness of this provision being in this Bill. Any examination of several Bills that have been on the floor of the House tonight would show that is not really a good argument.

Regarding the issue of maximum harmonisation, I know it only too well.

At some point, we, as a country, have to show leadership. In terms of scale, Ireland is a country that can really show leadership in this area. We are a highly technological country but, obviously, we are not the biggest country in terms of scale. Therefore, we can lead on this and show how it can be done. The amendment is very appropriate. This could be a seismic moment. It could be a great moment for the Department and a good moment for the Minister of State to show leadership. Whether the amendment passes or not, I ask the Minister of State to lead the charge on this. If he does so, he would receive great thanks. It would be a symbolic issue to fight for because ultimately we cannot continue like this. Every one of us has boxes of phones, tablets, consumables and machines that last only a few years. This cannot go on.

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