Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support the calls to bring forth the Climate Protection Bill to the Seanad. It is a matter that can be dealt with in a cross-party way. I ask that the Leader facilitate this request if at all possible.

Senators Quinn and Butler spoke about the Spirit of Ireland presentation which many Members attended yesterday. Those involved are people who have volunteered their expertise, including scientists, geologists, engineers and those with technical expertise in the energy field. Ireland has the capacity to come up with solutions. It did so before through the establishment of the ESB, which is responsible for the infrastructure in Ardnacrusha that was developed in the 1920s, the rural electrification scheme introduced in the 1930s and Turlough Hill, a similar project, that was developed in the 1970s. The ESB has led the way in projects of this scale across the globe. It has developed power stations in the United States and Europe.

The Spirit of Ireland concept is similar and will require changes in legislation and cross-party support. I am interested in the concept and I thank Senator Butler for inviting us to attend the presentation yesterday. I said at the presentation that the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security might be an ideal vehicle through which this idea could be progressed. I ask the Leader to make time available in the next session for a full debate on the Spirit of Ireland scheme, which deserves our attention. It would allow us to develop windfarm co-operatives along the west coast of Ireland and to use natural valleys for reservoirs that would allow us as a country to become self-sufficient in terms of our energy needs. It would also allow us to export energy. It is an idea worthy of serious consideration. Climate change is a big issue on all our agendas.

Agriculture and transport are the sectors responsible for most of our carbon emissions. While we cannot tackle the agriculture sector as we need to produce food and to develop agriculture, we can address issues in the transport sector through the electric vehicle strategy. I believe the answer may lie in the Spirt of Ireland or a similar concept. However, there will need to be a national debate on this issue which will require general consensus. I ask the Leader - I am aware Senator Butler intends to bring forth a motion on this matter - to provide time for a debate on this issue. The future of our country depends on it. We must have the vision to support concepts like this.