In the context of plastics being dumped at sea would the Minister agree that ultimately the only effective way to deal with this problem is to work towards elimination of the creation of plastics as a consumer product? With regard to the extent to which sludge dumping in the Irish Sea contributes to this problem — particularly that emanating from the city of Dublin — can the Minister indicate whether the site of that sludge dump has yet been moved further away from Howth Head — as was promised by his predecessor — down towards the south Atlantic?

I cannot give the Deputy precise information about the movement. I do know that there are very strict regulations governing the depth of sea, where it can be done and the amount that can be disposed of at any given location.

With regard to the Deputy's question about ceasing the production of plastics altogether, that is too big a question for me today. I do know that there is a movement to get rid of plastic as a product. I know also that very many people claim that it has enabled improvements to be effected in the standards of hygiene in the handling of food.