Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I want to refer to some items that were raised at the meeting and a few that did not arise. I congratulate the Commission and the Ministers and Heads of Government for their discussions there and the emphasis placed on the whole energy area. Will the Minister clarify further whether he is satisfied that the extent of intent in regard to research and development in the energy area, as proposed in the Green Paper and as emphasised in the course of the discussions, is being equalled here? Will he clarify whether it will be possible to do this given the remarks of previous speakers and the fact that one of the first things I felt was absent in energy policy here and in Europe generally when I was given this portfolio a year ago was properly co-ordinated, joined-up thinking on future energy needs and supply?

Will the Minister confirm the means by which it is proposed to guarantee security of supply for Ireland, having regard to the fact that we are relatively late in developing our infrastructure, with particular reference to the interconnectors and whether it is intended to proceed with the development of one or more interconnectors on an east-west basis? Will the Minister also clarify, in view of the recent remarks in the UK by Tony Blair and several commentators in regard to compliance with the Kyoto protocol, whether it is intended to comply with the protocol in Ireland and throughout the European Union or if there is now a proposal to change from Kyoto to some other criteria?

The Taoiseach already referred to the important issue of roaming charges. To what extent did discussion take place on roaming charges with a view to their abolition and with a view to establishing a proper mobile telephone service throughout the European Union of equal quality and cost?

My party leader, Deputy Kenny, referred to the growing extent of Internet pornography. This is an area which needs to have a great deal more focus within the European Union and worldwide. Whatever can be achieved by the EU may spread.

Overseas aid and development do not pertain to my area of responsibility but I wish to refer to something that could be done in this regard. This issue does not appear to have received any attention at this meeting. On an ongoing basis throughout 2005, especially towards the end of the year, there was a great emphasis on the alleviation of starvation and combating war, strife and ill health in the African countries. It now appears that a number of countries are particularly vulnerable. There appears to be a degree to which the European Union, including the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the UN, are lacking, in terms of introducing a co-ordination of effort that would set a priority for action in this area. Everybody is doing his or her own thing and while good things are being done a lack of co-ordination is evident.

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