Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

I also welcome the calls for a debate in this regard, as well as welcoming Senator Quinn's intervention to facilitate next week's debate in respect of energy. It is unfortunate that whenever we debate energy we do so as a reaction to price increases. However, much good work is being done at local authority level where the debate is ongoing. A conference on renewable energy is taking place in Donegal on Friday, 19 May. Donegal County Council is being very proactive in examining the choices and solutions with which we are faced.

It is a problem that there is a 90% reliance on fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is also an option which is not sustainable in the long term. We must consider other options and solutions. Perhaps local authorities could get involved in rolling out their own energy options and solutions, including methane from former landfill sites or taking ownership of tidal power or wind power. We are all aware that the financing of local authorities is becoming unsustainable in the long term. This is a debate which must also take place.

Perhaps the Leader of the House will intervene in regard to the Youth Work Act. It has been on the table for a considerable time and many youth practitioners are getting very worried about their jobs and the sustainability of youth work programmes. Some 17 full-time youth work jobs in Donegal will be on the line at the beginning of 2007. These jobs are funded through the peace and reconciliation fund programme. As ADM-CPA will no longer be able to provide funding for jobs, it is important to implement the Youth Work Act provisions through the VEC and put in place the proper mechanisms to employ full-time community development workers and community youth workers. It is preventive and important work which should be rolled-out.