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

We have had differences of opinion but at all times I have tried to ensure that I was speaking to the issue and not to the person.

There are a number of issues about which I feel passionately and sometimes that passion might have spilled over into impatience. One of the first things I said when I put questions to the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, was that I felt that the Government had no energy strategy or policy. There was a document with the word "strategy" on it, but it was not really a strategy. As a result, I fully supported the Government when it decided to come up with an energy strategy. I am looking forward to seeing what is included in the White Paper tomorrow and would love to have a sneak preview of it tonight. One essential feature of such a White Paper which sets out the Government's vision for the future is the role semi-State bodies such as Coillte, the ESB and Bord na Móna might play in future energy policy because they have a great role to play in energy generation from renewables.

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