Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The bringing down of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago is a reminder to us of how dependent we in the west of Europe are on Russia and Russian oil. I mention that because of the concerns we have about energy. It will be announced today that Britain is now planning to build a number of new nuclear power stations. That gives rise to all sorts of tremors and concerns in everyone who hears it. On the list of non-Government motions, we have tabled No. 16 on the basis that at least we should not have a closed mind on nuclear energy. We should at least include such a motion and debate it on that basis.

Britain receives 30% of its energy and France receives 80% of its energy from nuclear power. They have no concern, or very little concern, about what happens if a different wall, a commercial one, goes up between Russia and western Europe because they already have that source of energy. I know we should investigate the possibility of wind energy but if one looks out today one can see that there is no wind and if we were dependent solely on wind energy we would not be able to rely on it. Senator Norris and I have had this motion on the Order Paper for some time and we should at least consider such a debate. Let us ensure we have it soon.

Over the weekend I attended the annual Retail Excellence Ireland awards in Kilkenny. The lack of recognition given to retailing was impressed upon me. There are 280,000 people employed in retailing, not just grocery retailing but all retailing. The two State bodies, the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, that take an interest in this area are due to be amalgamated. They have different views on the code of conduct being proposed for retailing. It is a reminder for those who are in favour of reducing the number of quangos and State bodies that where two State bodies are amalgamated and have opposite views on an issue, we must take those views into account when we amalgamate them. Even if we are fully in favour of amalgamation, let us recognise the benefit of these bodies in an area such as retailing, where there are 280,000 employees and the possibility of being able to reduce costs in a competitive marketplace.