John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Finance to discuss a number of issues. There has been a worrying increase in inflation and this month's figure is the highest in four years.

While the Minister is here perhaps we could raise the issue of decentralisation. We had a debate on it two months ago in which the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, outlined the Government's firm commitment to achieving its objectives as set out by the former Minister, Charlie McCreevy, in the budget three years ago when all on this side of the House and many on the Government side knew the timeframe set could not be achieved. Perhaps the Minister of State would outline the timetable and the proposals for decentralisation, which we welcome but which must be put in place on the basis of an agreed and workable scheduled. I hope we can have that debate as soon as possible.

I join with a number of Senators opposite who raised the issue of wind energy on which I recently called for a debate. A debate is needed because there is a serious problem not so much with local authorities and their guidelines but with the ESB in terms of ensuring wind farms, which have planning permission, can be connected to the national grid. A number of wind farms in my area have been given planning permission but they have faced serious difficulties connecting to the national grid and obstacles have been put in their way by the ESB. If we are to have a debate on wind energy, we could usefully spend time discussing the problems affecting those people.