Environment: The country is facing an environmental time-bomb primed to go off eight years from now when remaining landfill capacity will be exhausted, Cllr John Mulvihill, a candidate for Cork East, said.
He called for a national waiver scheme for writing off liability to pay waste charges if people were unable to pay; the establishment of a State-owned company to develop and lead a standardised recycling industry; tight monitoring and control of private sector contractors collecting and disposing of waste and the development of audit programmes by local authorities.
Cllr Brian Collins, candidate for Meath West, said drivers should be encouraged to pool their cars. Car pooling schemes should be supported by local authorities because they would reduce annual emissions of carbon dioxide.
Mary Upton, TD for Dublin South Central, said Ireland needed to position itself as a world leader in the organic food market.