Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I take the opportunity to compliment all the local authorities throughout the country for their wonderful response in gritting the main roads in particular during this bad spell of weather. A question arose for the city manager in Waterford yesterday concerning leaving bags of grit in estates so that civic minded people could spread it around the estates, given that local authorities obviously cannot get to every location. The manager indicated that an Oireachtas committee last year asked the Attorney General for advice in regard to any liability that would arise from residents spreading grit or clearing in front of their houses. The Leader might indicate what was the Attorney General's advice on that matter, which might enable local authorities to grit estates with the assistance of residents.

I compliment "Prime Time Investigates" on the programme screened last night in regard to cigarette smuggling and those involved, including subversives and hardened criminals.

Will the Leader inquire whether we need further legislation to ensure the punishment fits the crime? When one hears that the importer of 13,000 illegal cigarettes was fined 13 cent by a judge and that importers of tens of thousands were fined €150, one realises the punishment is absolutely ludicrous considering the quality of the cigarettes. All cigarettes are bad for one but these counterfeit cigarettes are of serious danger to one's health. We need action regarding the smuggling of illegal cigarettes into the country. Will the Leader inquire about proposed legislation in this regard?