Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I had intended to raise the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill but as it has been very eloquently dealt with by the previous speaker, I will not try to bring out that type of sentiment again. However, it would be useful for the House if we could get that back on track, have an informed debate and try to get the legislation through.

I very much support the comments in regard to climate change and some very good points were made on natural fibres and how they are used. We also have to remember how this House voted in regard to microbeads. Microbeads are used not just in the cosmetic industry but also in the clothing industry and, in the context of controlling the licensing of that, unfortunately, the vote in the House was lost. However, I believe a good job of work could be done by the House in regard to concentrating on how we use natural fibres, whether in the wool industry or in regard to what comes from the agricultural sector within Ireland.

Many people have been praised in regard to the recent referendum, in particular the many young people who engaged in the referendum on both sides. Democracy is a good thing and to see people engaging in debate on the eighth amendment was worthwhile. I am heartened to see the number of people who participated in the referendum. When driving around the city today, I asked myself whether there is something practical we could do. A high number of volunteers on both sides went out, knocked on doors and put up posters, but the Litter Pollution Act means that anyone who put up a poster will be fined from Friday if it is not taken down. Taking into consideration that many of those involved in the referendum were young activists on both sides who did this in their own time as volunteers, I ask that the Leader might ask the Minister to extend the period until Tuesday to give people an opportunity to get the posters down. Political parties are well used to the idea of getting their posters down but this was civic society engaged in democracy and I think we should give a little extra time. I want to compliment people on the number of posters that have already been taken down and, in the main, they have disappeared from our roads and country lanes. To give volunteers a little leniency until Tuesday, after the bank holiday, would give both sides the opportunity to get those posters down without being fined.