Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I agree with much of what Senator Ó Donnghaile said, it should be recalled that for a long period his party shared the views of many of the Brexiteers about trying to pull away from the European Union.

I am sure the Leader will join with me in congratulating those Irish scientists who are involved in helping to find a Covid vaccine. It was quite pleasant to hear on the radio yesterday Dr. Teresa Lambe, who is a UCD graduate, and Professor Adrian V.S. Hill, who is a Trinity College Dublin graduate, both of whom are now working at the Jenner Institute in Oxford, talking about the research they have done. It highlights the real importance of investment in science and in research, and also the record of Irish universities and higher education institutions in this area. It is important that we have a discussion on how we are living with Covid and look into research on how we have coped with this period. The Leader has also spoken about the impact it has on society. We have to look at investing in research in our own higher education institutions and to learn from our experience.

I would also hope we could have a debate on the scourge of illegal dumping. This impacts all of our communities. It seems to have been on the rise over the Covid period. In the case of Wexford County Council, for example, to date this year the council has spent €1.86 million dealing with illegal dumping. In comparison, it spent €2.6 million for the whole of 2019. I am sure this is replicated in local authority areas right around the country. It is highlighted by local media and it really annoys tidy towns committees and local community groups that try to keep their areas clean. We must tackle the scourge of illegal dumping and those who are responsible will have to be caught, perhaps by making provision for cameras while working within data protection provisions. It is no longer acceptable in our communities. I ask for a debate on that matter.