Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I ask that the Leader arrange the debate on the marine rescue co-ordination centres in Malin Head and Valencia to which he committed on the Order of Business of 15 December. He expressed his hope that an all-party agreement could be reached to strenuously oppose the proposal and he wanted to ensure the Minister would attend the House before the Christmas recess. While that unfortunately did not happen, I hope the debate will be arranged as soon as possible.

I ask that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Noel Ahern, come to the House to discuss the very interesting and positive OPW energy awareness campaign which he launched last Monday. This campaign will affect the 250 State buildings administered by the OPW. He announced that as part of the campaign 20 existing oil-fired heating systems will be converted to biomass. At the same time, however, new buildings are being constructed, including one in Buncrana, County Donegal, to house the decentralisation offices and the local Garda station. The OPW has advised the best solution for that building is an oil-fired heating system. I would like the Minister of State to tell the House whether he is serious about this campaign or if it is merely another press release and broken promise.