Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have heard that extracts of the report into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, which was commissioned by the Minister for Health, will be published in today's Evening Herald. I understand the Minister has not yet received that report. No doubt it will make for difficult reading for Savita's family. I am sure it will contain recommendations which all of us should take seriously and consider in time rather than react to in a knee-jerk fashion, as has been the case recently in regard to the publication of other reports. We should remain calm and reflect seriously on the report into the tragic death of Ms Halappanavar.

I support Senator Kelly's remarks on wind energy. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the House to specifically discuss the issue of renewable energy and the proposals for wind farms in the midlands. It is an issue for all of us to discuss from an economic point of view and in terms of impact on local communities. I also watched "Prime Time" last night. I have been following the debate on this issue, about which I have many concerns, as I am sure does the Minister. These concerns need to be aired in public. The Seanad is the ideal forum to do so. Issues such as, for example, whether the jobs promised will materialise need to be discussed. The Minister has also expressed concern in this regard and proposes to commission a report on the matter. It can be taken for granted that wind turbines will not be manufactured in this country as we do not have the expertise or other skills required to do so. Other countries are way ahead of us in this regard. We need to know in what areas jobs will be created and what will be the benefit to local communities and Ireland Inc. in terms of meeting our renewable energy targets in 2020. We also need to look in this regard at the UK to which we are now tied following the memorandum. It is important there is continued debate on this issue in the House.