The Minister accepts there is no formal disposal facility available for asbestos and other hazardous waste. The Government have been in office for four years. In October last the Minister promised a national policy with regard to the disposal of hazardous and asbestos waste. Has any action been taken since then?

Has what been taken?

Action — it is a word Deputies on that side of the House are not familiar with. Has any action been taken since then?

I did not hear what the Deputy said. Action is being taken at the moment. The matter is under very serious and active consideration by the Minister and the Department of the Environment and we hope to have more precise information on it as soon as possible.

The Minister insinuated that all the asbestos is being unofficially and illegally stored in the Dublin region but I put it to her that the main contractors for the disposal are sited in the Dublin region. Is the Minister aware that those contractors are transporting asbestos from country areas and storing it in the Dublin area? Will the Minister agree that that is very unfair to the people who live in the Dublin area, one-third of the population of the country? Will the Minister agree that there should be a network of safe disposal sites around the country?

The Deputy should not make a speech.

I agree that there should be safe disposal sites wherever the demand warrants it and I am confident that that will be the case shortly.