Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support the comments made by Senator Healy-Eames with regard to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. As someone who has observed her tenure in the Department of Health and Children, I believe she was always impressive in terms of the grasp of her brief, her insightful knowledge and her drive and vision for reform of the health services. I am glad that was recognised on both sides of the House. She is somebody who instils confidence that she will make real and beneficial change to the health services.

On the report and internal memorandum to which Senator Twomey referred, I saw that also but unlike his negative approach to it I welcome the fact that the chief executive of a company is reminding his line managers of the need to drive the changes and improvements that are necessary within that organisation. He is doing that in the face of restrictive and outdated industrial relations practices within that organisation and every vested interest with their hands in the pot trying to ensure they gain from the billions of euro that have been trickling through that process which is not getting to the patients for whom it was intended.

For the second time this morning I agree with Senator Healy-Eames on equal opportunities within the education system, which is essential. In the past the religious made a tremendous contribution in ensuring that people living in poverty who would never have the opportunity of an education could secure it. They deserve our credit rather than being used as cheap political fodder.

I support Senator de Búrca's call for a debate on wind energy, which is a timely and necessary topic. I am not aware if other Members attended the Environmental Protection Agency conference held locally last night at which Dr. Manning presented an incisive paper on the scientific research being done by his group. It puts the need for this issue to be addressed at the top of the agenda. In that regard, when the Minister comes to the House to debate wind energy I ask that we include wave power in our discussions. There is tremendous potential for this island country to harness that energy but a great deal of technological investment is required to achieve it.