John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I ask that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to come to the House to discuss this issue and particularly the problems of people who have already received permission to build wind farms and wind turbines throughout the country but are now having difficulties in accessing the national grid. Senator de Búrca mentioned that in her comments. There is a serious problem in this area.

I agree with my colleague, Senator Twomey, who suggested that Professor Drumm clarify the position on the memorandum he wrote to leading management staff in the HSE. What we were told in the House is very different to what is being reported in the media today. It does not inspire confidence in what is already a largely discredited organisation in my eyes and in the eyes of many members of the public to see such contradictory information emanating from different sources in the HSE.

I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the earliest possible opportunity to come to the House for a debate on food safety in particular, but also on animal health. I have been asking for this since the Seanad came back. This is especially relevant in light of the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth and bluetongue in the UK and the recent detection of the H5N1 influenza virus in birds in parts of the UK. I also wish to discuss the proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy that have been mentioned in the media over the last couple of days. We should have a debate on this at the earliest possible opportunity, as agriculture is still the bedrock of the rural community in many areas.