Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

We priced them, which is more than the Government did. The fact that the Minister expressed that opinion is a clear indication that he has not even read them. Someone must have read them. The Government's researchers must have read them because it adopted our policy. I congratulate the Government on doing so because it is a positive sign. It is an indication of change and that the Government recognises the need to prepare for such a scenario. I do not believe the Doomsday scenario because there is ample space for technology to overtake the difficulties that lie ahead and for alternatives to be developed. It is the natural road to go to develop these alternatives. As the Minister of State will be aware, a number of people are already involved in that area in his county of Wexford.

It is important to have a policy in place. It must be an evolving policy because circumstances may change from month to month, week to week or certainly from year to year. There must be an ability to change dramatically over a three or four-year period. Therefore, it is very important that whatever policies are adopted in that area in the future, clear thought is given to the ability to roll over the policy, to go from a four to an eight, 12 or 16-year period as required. There is no point in the Government saying that because it has a four-year policy, it has done its job. It will not work like that.

While the oil companies are laughing all the way to the bank, they have the ability to damage the alternative energy industry. They need only drop their prices, which they can do at any time, and leave the alternative energy industry high and dry, so to speak, which happened in the past. In the evolution of an energy policy, it is imperative for the Government to take account of this fact and continue with the research and development programme which is necessary. Otherwise, the day will dawn when people will press the switch and nothing will happen. I would like to be a fly on the wall in the Minister of State's kitchen at that time to see his reaction.

See this speech in context