David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. That will be enough to staunch the leak. I called out the plumber, who charged me approximately €60, and having examined the washing machine, he told me I would be obliged to get a new one. He asked me how long had it been in my possession and to his amazement, I replied that I had it for only 25 years. However, I look after such things. I have a recycled car and a recycled house and I wear recycled clothes I inherited from my uncle. The refusal to have anything that is recycled is awful. There should be places in which one can buy recycled items or where one can recondition things. Moreover, we also ought to have far more opportunities to recycle with deposit banks and so on.

There are some positive elements in this regard. I am greatly relieved that dioxin levels in Ireland are well below European Union limits and long may they remain so. While levels in the greater Dublin area may be higher than elsewhere in Ireland, the general level is still less than 50% of the EU limit, which gives cause for hope. However, I return to my earlier point that we must face our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. It is worthwhile bearing in mind the recent comments of Professor John Sweeney of NUI Maynooth. I believe he also is the man who, some years ago, got into trouble for saying we were a bad neighbour in Europe, although perhaps I am mistaken in this regard. He has stated that, "Ireland has no friend left in Europe when you look at the burden of distribution. The 20 per cent is a signal that we misused the benefits we were given under Kyoto". Consequently, we must press ahead and face some difficult and unpopular decisions. It will be a major task to educate people to recycle and, if necessary to bite the bullet of incineration.