Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Very well. This is an example of how things are missed.

I do not know which Department is responsible for considering such matters. However, in terms of Border area development, the Minister's speech stated clearly that this would be a horizontal aspect of the next national development programme. I welcome this, as would everyone I know who is involved non-politically in this issue. However, the small print as to how directives are applied must be examined in such a way that the United Kingdom and Ireland interpret them similarly. Ireland has an extraordinary record of adopting the most difficult interpretation as to how European directives should have an impact on the daily lives of people and businesses in respect of country markets, the making of cheese or the issue I have just raised. We must ensure balance on both sides on the Border.

Finally, I will conclude with the following point. Agriculture has been mentioned in this debate, which is important. However, I refer to an initiative with particular relevance to the west. Last year, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment decided to lift excise duties on fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. However, it only did so on a year to year basis, which makes it impossible to plan.

For the sake of the BMW region, I ask that the Department lifts the duties for the next ten years, thus enabling people to make plans. In particular, those farmers and others from the agricultural sector who commit to the scheme will require at least three or four years to balance it economically. The Department must give a clear indication that this can be done. Moreover, further support should be given, as it is in the United Kingdom, for wind energy along the west. It could supply much of our energy needs.

Finally, it could also be part of the proposed——