Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, Cummins and Coghlan commented on the motion, which is in the Dáil this morning. It is made under a particular provision of the treaty and if Ireland wishes to partake at the outset of negotiations, it must notify the President of the Council within three months of the proposal being published by the Commission. As we know, the proposal was published on 25 July and the deadline is 24 October. This was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in August and approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, 16 October. That is the history of the motion, and the Government must pursue taking it in the House today from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. so I cannot accede to the proposed amendment.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Boyle, Reilly, Norris and Quinn raised the matter of SSIA moneys. Those who made a sacrifice and rallied to the call of the Minister for Finance of the day should not be penalised for that. Senator Norris stated an undertaking was given here by the Minister and if the veracity of that statement can be ascertained this afternoon in the Library, I will bring it to the Minister's attention immediately. It would be serious if an undertaking had been given in the Upper House of the Oireachtas and was not followed through by the Revenue Commissioners.

With regard to budgetary implications and all other matters, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, will come to the House over the next two weeks. He will be here next week and for two days the following week. Those matters can be raised with him.

On the development of the west, this House should agree with me when I propose we make energy a priority in this 23rd Seanad. We should see what part we can play in the cost of electricity and gas to the consumer and discuss alternative energy supports in the future. I intend to have an all-afternoon debate on the matter when we begin three-day sittings in November. Senators can be prepared with completed research by the second week in November and we can have the energy debate, taking in current and future challenges of energy.