Feargal Quinn (Independent)

On a number of occasions I have raised the topic of the waste of paper. On a regular basis we all seem to receive an enormous amount of paper through the mail, which is no longer needed. I was very impressed to receive today on DVD the report of the Irish Film Classification Office, which used to be called the Irish Film Censor's office. It seems very sensible to avoid paper. I ask the Leader to draw to the attention of the Minister responsible - I presume the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley - the need to reduce the amount of paper we all get, which would help the environment.

While I am discussing the environment, I mention the horrific spate of deaths by poison of birds of prey that have been reintroduced to Ireland - the red kite in Wicklow, the white-tailed eagle in Kerry and the golden eagle in Donegal. A number of them have been poisoned deliberately, which is a shame. I am not sure what we should do about it. We have lost face with those countries that gave us back these birds, including Norway, Scotland and Wales. We have had that opportunity and we find that people are deliberately poisoning these birds, which is unacceptable.

I played golf yesterday and I am sure the Leader will provide an answer in this regard. However, I do not believe it is linked to the fact that Members did not work in this House yesterday. While I will be accused of being biased, and perhaps I am, I believe the decision not to work yesterday also has been made a number of times in the past. Therefore, when criticising the fact that Members did not work yesterday - I do not defend it - I am sure there was no particular work to be done on that day.