Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

This provision allows the Minister to claim he is doing something about waste reduction, but does it not matter that it will not do what it needs to do? The provision will have little impact on manufacturers and wholesalers who wrap their products in layer upon layer of plastic. The bag levy had a good effect on the behaviour of customers, but we need to see similar approaches to manufacturers and businesses to encourage them to change their behaviour and the way they do their business.

I was interested in the Minister's remark that much of the money to be collected through these measures will be used to improve roads. The Bill is a clever way of gathering revenue for local government to pay for necessary road works, but Sinn Féin believes certain moneys currently departing the Exchequer should instead be used for this purpose.

A major problem lies with the waste that is not in the system. Approximately 30% or 40% is not accounted for, yet it is visible on our roads and lanes. Senator Quinn referred to electronic waste. We do not seem to have the necessary infrastructure in place. In my area of Connemara, we have campaigned for ten to 15 years for a recycling centre. We are still waiting for those facilities, which means recycling is difficult. The Minister has a responsibility to legislate and regulate proactively to safeguard the air, rivers, lakes, wetlands, boglands, remaining forests, coastal zones and seas. This means actively tackling and combating illegal dumping as part of a range of environmental measures. I agree with other speakers in this respect.

Regarding the Dingle-An Daingean Uí Chúis issue, mar duine Ghaeltachta cuireann sé díomá orm ar bhealach go bhfuil an chéim seo glactha, go bhfuil muid ag lagú arís rud a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Senator Coghlan has welcomed the decision, but tourist numbers entering the Dingle Peninsula have not been affected in recent years by having "An Daingean" written on signs.