John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The Senator is also correct that new technologies come on stream regularly and the waste review will seriously examine these because they are changing all the time.

Other Senators raised important issues. Senator Glynn referred to people in the private sector who are making an important contribution. Some people in the private sector are making important contributions. When the interaction between local authorities and the private sector is reviewed, we will have to look closely at the role being played by private operators because some perform very well and are making serious contributions in terms of recycling. I have visited some of these private plants and found them to be conscientious in how they recycle but critical of certain local authorities. Consistency is needed between private operators and local authorities in regard to collection and recycling of waste.

Senator Glynn also raised the issue of slurry spreading. I am conscious of that issue and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also has a role to play. Farming organisations complain to me that their members are over inspected. They are now inspected by the EPA, local authorities and water authorities in some instances. The Senator made a valid point in that regard.

Several Senators referred to coastal zone management. This function does not at present reside with my Department although legislation has been proposed to move it there from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It is extremely important that my Department has a function in regard to foreshore management in particular. At present we assist Coastwatch Ireland and An Taisce's blue flag initiative. Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about beach management. The blue flag initiative does not pertain to water quality alone. There are outstanding beaches throughout the country which do not have blue flags but have fantastic water quality. Blue flag status requires that beaches have lifeguards, carparks and other ancillary services. I would like to put in place a system that makes information available on water quality in order that people can be aware of beaches which have outstanding water quality even though they lack blue flags.