Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that and thank the Cathaoirleach. The Taoiseach in reporting on the activities of the European Council, highlighted the Lisbon project and also the energy issue which increasingly is beginning to dominate the lives of European citizens. It is a timely contribution from the Irish Government, especially in light of the recent statistics showing that Ireland is probably the most vulnerable of EU member states regarding security of future fuel and oil supplies. In that context I hope that following on the Taoiseach's statement and on Ireland's commitment to improved energy efficiency, there will be a detailed rolling out over the coming months of alternative fuel sources and the financial support they will require.

I am sure Members on all sides of the House are impressed by the commitment of the Swedish Government in predicting that it will have an oil-free economy by the year 2020. Some cynics have laughed at this proposal but the Swedes have a very efficient economy. I have no doubt that if they have made that commitment they will strive vary hard to achieve it. Ireland should not lag too far behind in that regard.

It is interesting and instructive to recall that when the then Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, committed Ireland to adhere to the Kyoto Agreement on the reduction of environmental pollution by fuel and industry, it seemed to be a more innocent era. In the past ten years, the car population has almost doubled as has the working population and housing infrastructure has hit the stratosphere. The country's population is estimated to be between 4 million and 4.2 million. The environment is under enormous strain as is the Government's capacity to provide the necessary engine to continue to fuel the economic growth being enjoyed.

I am a firm supporter of alternative energy sources and this is a time for innovative ideas in this regard. I hope the Government will address the very real challenge facing the country and future generations if economic growth is to be sustained. This is necessary to provide a successful economy but also a society that is acceptable and without doing harm to our quality of life.

A recent Forfás report suggested that in the long term, we may be forced to consider the nuclear option for providing energy. The Taoiseach ruled this out completely in his report to the Dáil on the European Council. I have always believed that politicians should never say "never" because it usually comes back to bite one in the hand. While I am not suggesting that nuclear power should be introduced into this country, if there was not a problem regarding the disposal of the waste, nuclear power would be the most efficient form of energy. I appreciate that we may not have achieved sufficient critical mass to justify a nuclear power station. I hope the Forfás report would not be buried and that the debate on Ireland's future energy needs and the need to become more self-sufficient will be continued.

The Taoiseach also referred to other areas of importance such as youth unemployment and state aid. The question of aid to industry is critical to our continuing economic success. I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach deplored the recent presidential election in Belarus. As a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs I regard it as important that Ireland's policy is that President Lukashenko's activities are unacceptable in any civilised society.

The Taoiseach also referred in his report to the outcome of the referenda in France and Holland. He is of the view that this country should continue to support the European constitution. While it is not for me as a mere Seanad backbencher to question the Government's high policy, as a result of my experiences in Europe, I am aware there is a vibrant, energetic debate about the future of Europe being carried on in Europe. Senator Bradford is a member of the Council of Europe and may concur with me. I do believe that an unequivocal or unambiguous acceptance of the European constitution in its present form, as has been discredited by the electorate in France and Holland, is necessarily in the best interests of this country. There is a need for a debate on how the Europe of the future is to be shaped.