Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome Mr. McCartin to the House and I thank him for his most comprehensive, informative and interesting address. As many Members have remarked, it was truly inspirational.

I have three questions. Mr. McCartin touched on the enthusiasm for Europe in some areas which we may have thought somewhat misguided, such as the habitat directives. A certain section of Europe has had too much regard for such protection. I am not saying such habitats should be wiped out by chemicals or pesticides, but there is over-emphasis on insects, snails and plant life. Ridiculous situations arise where areas adjacent to national and secondary routes are designated as SACs. Those roads need to be widened in the interests of safety, the paramount concern. The plant and insect life will survive in adjoining areas that are more worthy of preservation. This has been too extensive, intrusive and damaging to the people. The correct balance was not struck. As Senator Burke said, Dúchas took this up with too much enthusiasm and went overboard. I welcomed the Government decision on Dúchas, but it should go further and put the entire service under the remit of the Office of Public Works. It is misplaced in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

There is a frightful hullabaloo about stem cell research. What is Mr. McCartin's view of that issue? It is an important matter to many people in this country because of our interpretation of the constitutional position.

I do not think Turkey is ready to be a member of the European Union.