Larry Butler (Fianna Fail)

I do not want to be negative because we need the Labour Party and Fine Gael on board. We need all the Members in both Houses on board. That is very important.

What I am suggesting is a self-financing programme. With the VAT, PRSI and taxation coming from the job creation, the initiative I have described would be self-financing. If in the interests of small businesses and people on the live register we provide the retraining programmes we have in mind as part of the greener homes scheme, it would create a considerable opportunity in the green sector. Senator Hanafin's idea for co-operatives was an excellent one. We could go even further. We once had co-operative societies throughout the country from which small farmers benefitted considerably. They still could benefit from the green energy production of small mills which might be financed by local organisations and which would supply small villages and towns and make them self-sufficient in energy. That would be an important project and grants should be provided for that. Solar energy provision has been improved on considerably in the past 12 months. Carey Glass has now produced a system that will supply all the energy needed for electricity, heating and hot water systems in a household. Companies such as this must be admired in how they produce such projects. We should support that.

We have been calling for a debate on the economy and it is disappointing to see so few people here. Senators make their contributions and then they walk out. I will remind them of this when they ask for another debate on the economy. I would have expected to see the House full on both sides. I am not criticising only Senator Fitzgerald's side; I am talking about my own side as well. We walk out after making our contributions, and I do not think it is good enough.