Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State very much. I know that he is doing his best but there has to be a way around this. It is disappointing that it was not considered appropriate given the nature of the scheme. It seems somewhat illogical. We need to allow small shopkeepers, whether individually or as a number on a street coming together, to provide these machines. The figure of 18,000 machines is not enough. It has to be convenient, easy and fair. It is not fair on small shopkeepers at the moment. The multiples have the opportunity to increase their footfall as a result of people coming to use the reverse vending machines to dispose of their bottles. I know the Minister of State believes in equity and fairness and that he very much supports small businesses. I sincerely hope that his engagement with the Department of Finance bears fruit and that we will see some tangible and practical efforts made to ensure that small shops can avail of these machines as well as the big retailers.