Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator McGahon's proposal. It is a great idea and I have no doubt the Leader will take it up with Government.

I want to raise the issue of charging batteries. A number of years ago, EU legislation was passed on making phone chargers compatible, enabling consumers to use one charger for all types of phones. This is not the case with tools, such as gardening tools, tools for contractors or household tools. There are different chargers for different tools. This involves huge costs for the construction industry, self-employed people, families and farmers. Whey they buy a piece of equipment for either doing the garden or for use on the farm or in the construction industry, they have to buy a charger. The EU should pass a law to make the chargers for these tools compatible so that one charger can charge several tools. It should pass legislation similar to that on mobile phone chargers. I think it is necessary and we need to do it. I hope the Government will take up this in Europe and that we will go down the route we did in relation to phone chargers.