Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I ask the Leader to consider having a debate on the Forfás report published today on Ireland's oil dependency, which is quite frightening. It points out that in 2004 we used 9 million tonnes of oil, double what was consumed in 1990. Ireland is the third largest user of oil per capita of the older EU states. This is worthy of debate and is a worthwhile subject for this House.

Will the Leader please draw the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to the fact that the chief dental adviser to the Minister, who retired two years ago, has not been replaced? I gather that somebody is on secondment to the Department of Health and Children, but this means, in effect, that dentistry is moving down the line and is not being given the attention it deserves. It amounts almost to a downgrading by stealth of the importance of dentistry to health.