John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State and his official. I am delighted the Independent Senators tabled this motion, which I fully support. I am surprised an amendment has been tabled. I did not hear all the debate or the Minister of State's contribution but I heard some of the Government speakers. I have been calling for a debate on energy for a long time, so this one is timely.

Senator Browne is right that we need to reduce our dependence on oil but I do not share his enthusiasm for nuclear energy.