Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join with other colleagues in asking the Leader to arrange a debate on the environment as soon as possible. It would be useful for Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche to come here to outline the steps he has taken since his appointment to the Department. He has made a welcome input to many policy areas and I have no doubt we will see that come to fruition in time. There are a number of difficult issues in the environment, particularly regarding landfill sites. The issue of thermal treatment is one with which this country has recently attempted to grapple and we also have a "not in my back yard" approach.

The emissions from some pharmaceutical companies cause great concern to local people, who find it difficult to convince themselves the pungent odours are not harmful to their health. It would be useful if the Department took greater responsibility for ensuring that information is brought to the attention of the public. The EPA tends to hide behind a veil, holding the view that as a State agency it does not interact to any extent with the public, but is concerned with regulatory and licensing issues. It is not good enough that citizens and residents in areas affected by these emissions do not have the full facts available to them. I would like the opportunity to ask the Minister in the course of an open debate to address that issue and to establish who has responsibility for this matter.