Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Ó Domhnaill, I wish everyone well on Lá Fhéile Pádraig, in particular those people participating in parades around the country. I hope the weather is a lot more clement than it has been in the past.I wish them and all those attending well. It is a great occasion.

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to come to the House to discuss issues relating to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. I previously spoke in the House about the fact that recycled concrete cannot be used in construction or in farming. I also want to ask the Minister about issues relating to the EPA in the context of the Drehid landfill site in County Kildare. It is one of the largest landfill sites in the country and is operated by Bord na Móna. In recent years, the amount of material going into that landfill has exceeded the amounts permitted under licence. As a consequence, the local community is suffering, particularly the people who live on the approach routes to the site. It is estimated that it would cost €13 million to bring the approach roads back up to the condition they were in previously. I ask that the Minister would come into the House to answer questions on the role of the EPA. Legislation is in place that gives the agency teeth but it is like a gummy dog. It is useless.