Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Senator Keaveney suggested that for those of us learning Irish, the Seanad should meet in the Donegal Gaeltacht. There are a number of us studying French and I propose that a small delegation consider going to Provence or the Riviera. We would not have any difficulty with that.

Senator Walsh referred to the cost of energy. An interesting lecture was given on energy policy last week by a Cambridge professor as part of the RDS The Irish Times lecture series. The lecture was entitled "Nuclear Energy — Why is it on the Agenda?" It should have been entitled, "Nuclear Energy — Why is it not on the Agenda?" We have not discussed nuclear energy because we did not need to in the past. I was in France recently and noticed the French do not need to worry about it because a large proportion of their energy is derived from nuclear sources. I am not advocating nuclear energy because we have not even had the debate. However, it is clearly worthy of debate.

An article on China in today's The Irish Times states China is building a coal-burning unit every six days. Moreover, in a single year, the amount of new coal-burning units they are developing equals the total output of the British national grid. We must find a solution under energy economics, energy saving and climate change to ensure Ireland has the ability to handle this issue and the debate on nuclear energy should not be excluded. Members should consider holding a debate on energy. Although debates on energy have been held previously, this time Members should include the possibility that nuclear power should be on the agenda.