Seanad debates
Thursday, 27 November 2003
Address by Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP.
In the 21st century we must realise that economic progress and a clean environment are not mutually exclusive. They can and must go together. Much work and investment can go into clean technologies of various kinds. I have the job of rapporteur on the industry committee for the electronic waste directive, in which we try to encourage good design for the environment – including environmental provisions from the beginning of projects so that environmental consequences will not have to be dealt with at the end. It is rather like turning off the tap instead of mopping up the floor when the bath overflows. That is the principle that should apply in the future. There will always be lobbies and they will always use every issue in a political way. That is their right; it is part of democracy. Sometimes we do not like it – some may not like the Green lobby, I may not like the liberalisation lobby – but we must all live with each other. I hope that is sufficient answer to the question.
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