I want to thank all Members who contributed to this debate. I will bear all of their representations in mind. It has been a very constructive debate as are all debates in this House. I want to thank the Members also for their kind remarks.
We all now fully realise the serious position in regard to our environment, the environmental impact of depletion of the ozone layer and so on. Senators will agree with me that there is now more awareness of clean air, what we are doing from an environmental point of view, the way in which this matter is being highlighted in our schools and so on. Some Senators have advocated that there be more concentration on the subject in our schools. There is perhaps room for improvement there also as there always is in every aspect of life. I fully respect their submissions and views.
The debate was wide-ranging and covered pollution generally. There are Bills going through the Houses whose provisions will bring about an improvement in environmental standards generally. However, one must realise that one can legislate until doomsday but one must have the approval and, above all, the co-operation of the people and all relevant public bodies concerned, including local authorities. Senators can rest assured that all of their remarks have been noted fully, as have their submissions on how these matters should be attended to and that all of their views will be fully examined in my Department.
Senator Norris mentioned the dumping of freezers and hamburger wrappings. If my recollection is correct Senator Connor also referred to this. I regret to say, I have seen examples of the dumping of such items in many parts of the country and I regret to say that, in parts of the country, where local authorities have cleaned up derelict sites there has been a recurrence of such dumping. Even in areas where local authorities have emphasised that there should be no indiscriminate dumping I have noticed that freezers have been dumped. That is wrong and cannot be tolerated.
We will have to bring about an awareness that such dumping is not right, that is is dangerous and is not helping the atmosphere. My Department will further examine that matter and ascertain what further action we can take. When the Bill — at present with the Dáil — is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas it will then be open to local authorities to take action in many such instances. However, in that legislative initiative we will be dependent on the co-operation and goodwill of all our people. This is where education and/or awareness of all of this becomes essential and must be borne in mind. There is now more public awareness of all these matters within the general context of our environment and its healthy preservation but there is always room for improvement. In all forms of industrial development, within reason, it is essential that we take necessary collective action. There appears to be all-party agreement that what we are endeavouring to do is a step in the right direction. If there is room for improvement certainly we will take that on board also.
May I say, on behalf of the Minister and myself that we are very grateful to Senators for their contributions today.
