Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

As far as most local authorities are concerned, that is phase 4, but we have not moved to phase 2 yet. It is disappointing that there is no national waste management strategy. What is occurring in County Cork is not occurring in County Limerick and what is occurring in County Limerick is not occurring in County Donegal. This is not the largest country in the world. We need to put in place a national system. It seems that one local authority is developing a substantial landfill site, while other local authorities, such as Galway County Council, are trying to put in place the ultimate green system of waste management and disposal, involving recycling, etc. The Minister, Deputy Roche, and his Department have to ensure there is a single national waste management strategy.

The Minister mentioned in passing the issue of biofuels, which I am concerned about as a representative of the Mallow area of north Cork. He participated in the broad political debate on the closure of the Mallow sugar factory and the winding up of the Irish sugar industry. Such events must give us an opportunity to develop a proper biofuels strategy. While we are all in favour of biofuels, some Senators pointed out that if one travels in a car that has been converted to run on biofuels, one cannot be sure where the next fuel supply station will be. The Government needs to give more support to biofuels. It seems that an opportunity was lost when the plants in Mallow and Carlow were closed. Anyone with a basic knowledge of science will be aware that sugar beet and other crops such as wheat can be used to produce biofuels. While that process is not as simple as we sometimes pretend it is, we should examine its potential. We can help the ailing agriculture industry — farmers do not know what to do next to make a living — by investing significantly in alternative crop production.

I ask the Minister to speak to his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, about the rural environment protection scheme. I fully endorse the scheme because it supports those involved in the industry. However, I understand farmers participating in the scheme will not be allowed to participate in the environmentally friendly scheme whereby crops will be grown for use in the production of biofuels. It seems politically and economically bizarre that a person who is involved in one environmental support measure — the REP scheme — will not be allowed to take advantage of the grants which are made available under another scheme for the production of biofuels. The Minister, Deputy Roche, should consult his Cabinet colleague, Deputy Coughlan, to ensure this little anomaly is resolved.

I appreciate that the House could discuss this subject for a long time. The challenge we face is to respond to the wishes of the public, which was not interested in environmental issues ten, 15 or 20 years ago. There was a time when people did not appreciate the scale of the crisis, but they do now. They are demanding answers from us and it is important we respond fully. The Government has much more to do.