Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise a couple of matters with the Deputy Leader. The first is to seek a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on the circular economy Bill which he has brought before these Houses. The reason I ask for such a debate is the unacceptable dumping that continues to blight our countryside, roads and towns and villages. Of course, great credit must go to all those involved in Tidy Towns associations and community groups that carry out such great work in all of our communities, and we see them every day and weekend on our roads and in the countryside. However, driving into Leinster House today and talking to so many people over the last number of weeks, the simple fact is that our roadsides are dumping grounds, and this problem is as bad as I and many other people have ever seen it.Every road, woodland, street and country area seems to be considered a dumping ground for those who have no consideration for the people living there. It is unsightly. This problem is worse than I have ever seen it.

We talk about this beautiful green land we have, yet roadsides are covered in rubbish. There is no other way of putting it. I introduced a Bill on behalf of the Labour Party. Senator Malcolm Byrne introduced a similar Bill to encourage the use of CCTV to identify the perpetrators. Those Bills were accepted by the Government. The Minister thanked us both for our work on them, but, unfortunately, the problem is getting worse. Many people have raised this matter with me in the recent weeks. We need an urgent debate on this. The national spring clean initiative is on the way. A number of people in my community have been out and about in the past couple of weeks. They contacted me because they have found the problem to be as bad as ever. If a debate can be organised, it would be greatly appreciated. We need a debate on this matter as quickly as possible.

I also wish to raise the issue of school places in south Kildare. Yesterday I received a call from parents in the area whose 12-year-old child has still not got a school place. I continue to receive many such calls on a weekly basis. Colleagues in this House and the Lower House also receive such calls. The parents in question are worried because their 12-year-old does not yet have a school place. All her friends have places. That is the problem. She is looking around and knows the school she wants to go to but, unfortunately, she cannot get into that school, which all her friends will be going to. Her parents were worried about her mental health. They are worried about where she is going to go. This is what is happening to so many families in south Kildare. I would appreciate it if we could contact the Minister for Education again. I have contacted her several times, as have colleagues in this House. I appreciate that solutions are on the way. I know that new schools and extensions are being built, but the problem is that this child needs a place for September next. There is a need for someone to sit down with the public representatives. I would appreciate if the Deputy Leader could contact the Minister in respect of this matter.