Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

Some months ago, I raised the issue of the mosquito device. I am a member of the Council of Europe, which has tried to introduce a ban on this device. A draft report on it is ready and I ask that we discuss the device in the House. Many young people are in the Visitors Gallery at present. Many adults do not understand this issue and its importance. Young people came to the council and asked us to do something about it. The mosquito device is a high-powered sonic device designed to stop people under 20 from gathering in public and private places. It discriminates against them and makes them all appear to be bad children who are up to no good. Those over the 20 to 25 age range do not hear the device. If we debate this issue, I ask that all Members be given a set of headphones and exposed to the noise to which young people would be exposed so that we understand the issue. The issue is specific to young people and is discriminatory against them. We are not taking the device seriously because we do not hear it. This is a health and safety issue. It is also a measure of discrimination, against which the Council of Europe battles in every forum.

Money will be wasted through our failure to comply with EU directives. Can the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government give an update on water and sewerage schemes in towns which are in breach of European directives and will incur large costs as a result?