Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I move:

That Seanad Éireann recognises the need to develop a national energy strategy that will address Ireland's over-dependence on oil and replace it to the largest possible extent by energy derived from renewable sources.

I deliberately worded this motion in what I call non-confrontational terms, in the hope that it would not provoke the usual knee-jerk amendment from the Government and that the House would have a mature and thoughtful debate on this most important national issue. I would like to avoid the kind of partisan mud-slinging that characterised a debate on the same subject in the Dáil last week. I was disappointed when I discovered that the knee-jerk reaction from the Government had occurred. My motion was worded in a manner which I hoped would be non-confrontational.