Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support calls by Senator Michael Mullins for the banning of hydrogen sulfide gas in septic tanks and the sale of gypsum in Ireland. It has been banned in the North and in a number of other countries. We have seen already the devastating consequences of the gas. It is clear that there are plenty of alternatives that are less dangerous. I ask the Leader to call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to ban this material as a matter of urgency. If legislation is required, so be it. We will facilitate him.

I welcome this morning's decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to Clare County Council for the construction of a pier in Doolin. It is a long-standing saga. Clare County Council originally granted this through the Part VIII process and then embarked on a further period of public consultation due to the objections of some surfers to the construction of a pier. The matter then went to An Bord Pleanála, which conducted oral hearings. I am pleased that, subject to conditions, the facility has been approved. It means the elimination of transhipment of people travelling to the Aran Islands to boats at Doolin, which represented a serious health and safety risk. It means there will be far more frequent services in winter and summer to the islands and that weather dependency will be a thing of the past. It will create jobs in the short term in construction but, more importantly, it will create long-term sustainable jobs in winter and summer in the tourism industry in north Clare, which will benefit the entire county. I welcome the decision and call on the Minister to make funding available to proceed to construction as quickly as possible.