When one remembers the dark smoggy days of the 1970s and 1980s and the ever-growing mountain of rubbish that littered our streets and countryside, we cannot but appreciate the advances that have been made. Senator Kitt mentioned that a visit to any school in the country will show how aware the children are of the environment and their role and responsibility to it. Programmes such as the green flag initiative have opened many young minds to the benefits of environmental awareness and concern.