Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 July 2003

Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages.

 

In regard to indiscriminate dumping, we took the opportunity in Part 4 of the Bill which comprises a number of amendments, to improve and further strengthen anti-litter action. Legislation is being implemented but I am sure everyone would agree that it is not enough. Citizens have a major role to play. All of us should call on our own people up and down the country. The country does not belong to the Government, the Seanad or the Dáil. The counties do not belong to the councillors. They belong to the people who have a responsibility to ensure the environment is protected. The buzzword is "sustainability". This applies to employment also, not just the environment. It also applies to social and economic factors. The people are responsible. We are the custodians of the environment and must pass on this country in a better state than we found it. We have a broad framework of legislation within which we must work in relation to the collection of waste.

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