Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It would do huge damage to the reputation of this country. There is a national interest involved in this, so it is time for some realism and accommodation. I accept Senator MacSharry's point that if there had been more plans to supply the north-west and more benefit for the area concerned, perhaps the opposition would not have arisen to the extent that it has. It is striking that there are five Deputies representing the Mayo constituency, one of whom is the Leader of the Opposition. Yet only one of them, an Independent Deputy, actually supports the Rossport campaign. If there was huge support in County Mayo for the protest it would be reflected in what the local Deputies are saying.

The Green Paper also places some emphasis on energy conservation and greater fuel efficiency. I wish to register my unhappiness at the effective phasing out of rail freight transport. There is much unused capacity which is energy efficient. That is a case where one area of public policy is going in the opposite direction to the Green Paper.