Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I called for a debate yesterday on parenting. This has widened to encompass far more than I anticipated, based on issues raised by other Members, and I urge the Leader to find time for that debate. I made the point yesterday that the State's taxation policy does not recognise the benefit of the parenting provided by married couples. This debate can be widened to include the other issues to which colleagues referred.

I support the calls for a debate on energy. I understand the Minister for the Environment. Heritage and Local Government will, in one fell swoop, increase our energy consumption when he introduces winter time, on Sunday of next week, and does away with daylight savings time. There is a strong case for this State to align itself with central European time on a permanent basis.