Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

We are undergoing many crises, including the economic crisis, the housing crisis, the employment crisis and the food crisis. We also have another crisis, the impact of which the Government is not fully aware, namely, the waste management crisis. We have made great progress in respect of recycling initiatives and the introduction of facilities to deal with our waste, but due to the crisis in this area, we hear that Repak, the Irish Waste Management Association and local authorities are screaming for help with the stockpiling of waste. There is no clear direction from the Government or the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I am not sure if the Leader is listening to me but I would appreciate if he would because this is a very serious issue. It is important that we listen in this House. The House is in its second last day but I call for a debate on this matter. In November and December we create over 25% of our national waste. The amount of packaging that comes into this country for the Christmas period is unbelievable. We are making no attempt, despite the elephant in the room that is the stockpiling of waste, to reduce such waste. In the UK, a project called the Courtauld commitment involves all major retailers signing up to reduce packaging waste by 10% by 2010. There is no such initiative here, which is a disgrace. We must wake up and take account of that.

I support Senator Fitzgerald in her statement that Government is ignoring Parliament by the Taoiseach's announcement of his economic strategy in Dublin Castle. To me, that smacks of spin and public relations. The Taoiseach is accountable to this Parliament and to this House. I would like to think I am not wasting my time coming to Dublin to hear announcements made in other private venues.