Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

If the House does not prove its usefulness, we will not be doing ourselves any justice. We should not rubber-stamp measures taken in the Dáil. Perhaps that was how it used to be and we all had some responsibility but, if we are to ensure the Chamber has a purpose prior to a referendum, we must move out of the cosy position to which we were used in years gone by.

I meant to raise a point that I subsequently overlooked, namely, the issue of the nine Border counties in our jurisdiction. People from those counties and further south often travel to the North to shop. Increasing the plastic bag levy will act as a disincentive. I know many people who cross the Border to shop on a weekly basis because they are also able to pick up free bags, which they use for putting out ashes, collecting clothes or other household chores. The law of diminishing returns may have a consequence in this case. We must be careful with this legislation, which could have many consequences. If the law of diminishing returns kicks in because we allow an increase the levy to 50 cent, 60 cent or 70 cent, many people will go up the road to shops in the North instead of in the Republic to buy their groceries, thereby doing the State out of valuable tax revenues. For example, Asda is a large competitor of ours across the Border and gives out bags for free. Senator Wilson, a Border Senator, made an interesting comment about Asda bags in hedgerows in County Monaghan. I have seen them in west County Donegal's hedgerows and anywhere there has been illegal dumping. The local authority's litter wardens are often heard making the same remarks.

We must be careful. I know where the Minister is coming from with this legislation, but I share Senator Ó Clochartaigh's view, in that householders with diminished weekly budgets cannot afford to pay this charge. We must bear this reality in mind. I appeal to the Minister to accept the amendment on the basis that we would happily revisit the legislation in 12 or 24 months time when he could return to the House and show us the scientific data on whether increasing the levy to 25 cent was the right decision. I hope he will reconsider the amendment in light of our debate.