John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am not aware of any terrorist threats in County Kilkenny. I extend my best wishes to Deputy Séamus Brennan on his retirement from Government. In my time in this House I found him to be the member of the Cabinet most open to Members of the Opposition. I sincerely wish for him the best of health in the future, and I am sorry he is no longer a member of Government. I join the other speakers in congratulating those appointed to Government and the new Taoiseach on his election yesterday. I ask that he would come into the Seanad at the earliest opportunity and outline his vision for the future.

I agree with the request of Senator Denis O'Donovan that the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, come to the House at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the World Trade Organisation talks which is an issue that Senators Paul Bradford, Denis O'Donovan and I, along with others, have raised on several occasions in this House.

I had been looking for the former Minister for Finance to come to the House and discuss the economic outlook for Ireland and the direction in which we are going. It would be appropriate if the new Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was available at the earliest opportunity.

I agree with what Senator John Hanafin said with regard to the importance of energy supply. This is the single biggest issue we face as an economy. The shortcomings of the traditional energy options are obvious, and there are emerging ethical difficulties with the increased production of bio-fuels. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, had proposals dealing with the possibilities of wave and wind energy. It would be opportune if he came into the House to outline the status of those proposals.

I was disappointed that the new Taoiseach did not appoint someone new as Minister for Health and Children. It was a missed opportunity. I was alarmed to read of industrial relations issues concerning psychiatric nurses in Naas General Hospital and the possibility of the Army being used to fill staff shortages if the psychiatric nurses go on strike. It is an alarming situation and it would be opportune if the Minister for Health and Children would outline more suitable arrangements in the event of industrial action.