Most Deputies who have spoken from both sides laid particular emphasis on the pollution of the environment and the Minister said that an inter-departmental committee had been set up to investigate what should be done and to co-ordinate the work of the various Departments involved—Industry and Commerce, Local Government and Transport and Power. On the day we were discussing this, we saw a report in one of the daily papers to the effect that 61 lakes and rivers were polluted and reference was made in the article to the public apathy in the matter. Mr. Morrow, general manager of the Inland Fisheries Trust, said that what was really needed to cope with pollution was a serious commitment and action by the Government and the public authorities to lead the public out of their apathy and to bring a halt to the unlawful dumping of waste. I would appeal to the Minister to see to it that there will be no delay in the production and implementation of the committee's findings. The situation is particularly serious this year especially with the drop in water levels which is more pronounced than it was during years when we had wet seasons. When we learn that 61 lakes and rivers are polluted, it is a very serious matter and it should be attended to without delay.
Comments were also made regarding the bringing to the attention especially of schoolgoers the matter of pollution and if there were a programme in the schools in relation to pinpointing the dangers to our environment of pollution generally, it would be a commendable step.
Another matter I wish to refer to is the dispute between Aer Lingus and the travel agents with regard to package tours. This situation is very much to be regretted and it is in the interests of the tourist industry, on which both these sections are dependent, that it be brought to a speedy and amicable conclusion. I ask the Minister to use his good offices to encourage an early settlement of this dispute. I think negotiations are going on. Both benefit from each other in this case and I am sure would like to see a quick ending to it. Another matter is the withdrawal of Aer Lingus from the transatlantic service. One is disturbed on many counts when one reads that Aer Lingus are considering withdrawing from the Atlantic routes. It was a long, tough battle to get those routes established and they carried a good deal of prestige. It would be a backward step if Aer Lingus were to drop out of the Atlantic trade.