Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will go back over the issues. The General Affairs and External Relations Council has been discussing that issue. We have co-operated fully with the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. A few investigations are in train under the auspices of the European Parliament. One of those has asked for co-operation while the others have not. However, we are co-operating fully with them.

As regards the European Council, energy is raised all the time, and it will come up under economic issues. It has become a central issue for all the countries, as I stated previously. Energy needs and requirements are being addressed more and more. Our work in this regard, in which the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is engaged in compiling a report on energy policy, is separate from the European issue to which we are giving attention. There are a number of relevant issues for Ireland, the issues of supply and future generation and what we can do as regards sustainable energy. We are doing everything possible to advance these issues and will continue to report on them.

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