Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I think we should be more creative about amendments to motions in this House. The kind of amendments tabled here all the time would not be allowed in any other organisation and they are probably seen as a direct negative. Like Senator MacSharry I welcome the fact Fine Gael moves closer to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions position which is a very healthy development and which, no doubt, is threatening to those on the Government side of the House. It does Fine Gael no harm at all.

I want to focus on one aspect of what is a very progressive document which is more progressive in its proposals than what the Government has proposed in the areas of energy and energy storage, for instance. The Green Party might have a good look at it and just make sure the Government moves along these lines.