Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On communications, one of the concerns people have was confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, in reply to a parliamentary question I tabled. Of course, I already knew the answer to the question before I asked it. All of the plans relating to the roll-out of national broadband - my PQ referred, in particular, to the roll-out in more rural areas - are predicated on the economy doing well. People in rural areas are concerned that, once again, the towns and cities will be considered. However, if China, the US, the EU or some other large nation or bloc hiccups economically, lo and behold, the funding will no longer exist to bring state-of-the-art broadband to the more rural areas. I have argued all along that rural areas should receive broadband side by side with the cities and towns. Distrust exists and people are worried that the planned roll-out is predicated on economic performance.

We need joined-up thinking when it comes to energy. The SEAI provides grants in respect of the installation of energy boilers, radiators, etc., but a person can get all of that work done in a house where the doors are hanging off the hinges and the windows are broken. People often cannot get their doors and windows replaced. We should do an awful more to improve energy efficiency, particularly for people who cannot afford such measures. We must examine the true cost of every energy development project for the customer - the person who will use the energy - and for taxpayers as well. There is so much energy that everything must be proofed against affordability for the customer in terms of energy.

In the context of natural resources, I am sure that the Minister is aware of the many concerns about the EPA's study on hydraulic fracturing. I am sure he is also aware of the concerns many of us harbour with regard to continuing to let companies hold on to the forlorn hope that fracking will somehow be allowed to take place on this beautiful little island in the Atlantic. In many cases, we are giving the companies an opportunity to take a legal action against this State and that will cost an awful lot of money. Such a situation has already arisen in Canada, where energy companies have taken the Government to court on the basis that its policy deprived them of accessing quantified resources. Ireland is paying to have some of this quantification done for energy companies. Those companies could use the relevant details to take more money off the Irish people. That is a major mistake and we need put a stop to what is going on.

The final issue to which I wish to refer is inland fisheries. We have reached the point, in terms of resource allocation to inland fisheries, where access to waterways and amenities is being damaged and perhaps beyond the point where it is economically feasible to repair it. I know about this matter because I have spoken to a number of people who work in the sector. The sector does a great deal of work that benefits tourism promotion. We need to be careful that even while ensuring that there are efficiencies, we do not damage the very product the sector provides.