Feargal Quinn (Independent)

It is an issue to which we should draw attention to make sure we do not go too far with political correctness. Before we know where we are, Santa Claus will also be banned because he is a derivative of St. Nicholas and, clearly, if Christmas is to be banned, we should not have Santa Claus either. It is an issue to which we should draw attention.

This morning I attended the launch in the science galleries of Trinity College of the European City of Science and I commend the success of Dublin in achieving that for 2012, a matter to which I referred a couple of weeks ago. The chief scientific adviser to the Government made a statement which is a real reminder to us, namely, that a number of other European countries of similar size to Ireland, such as Finland, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland, are putting all their emphasis on to science, which is where they see the success of their economies in the future.

We have a tradition as an agricultural country but we are no longer just that. Of course we must invest in that area, but we must make sure we stand behind the opportunity that the European City of Science for Dublin in 2012 provides. It must continue to be supported by the Government, as it has been to date. It is a huge opportunity for success, of which we should not lose sight in the years ahead.