Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment. I wish to share time with Senator Paddy Burke. I welcome the Minister. It would be relatively difficult in a spot the difference competition to identify significant differences between the proposals set out in the Government motion and Fine Gael Party amendment. As the Minister will acknowledge, the Fine Gael Party has in recent months produced substantial policy proposals and documentation on alternative energy generation.

While I appreciate this topic has been at the top of the Minister's agenda since taking office in summer 2007, it is time to move from words to deeds. Alternative energies such as bio-fuels, biomass, wind and wave power have been part of political debate for the past decade. Senators will concede, however, that progress has been limited, although progress has been made on wind farms and, to a lesser extent, on wave power.

If we are to solve the energy crisis and tackle global climate change, we must not allow this issue to go unheeded. Through this amendment and, more important, its policy proposals, the Fine Gael Party is highlighting that we have a once-off opportunity to address the issues of climate change and energy security by providing an Irish response to the global energy crisis. This can be done by producing energy on Irish soil through wind, wave and bio-fuel production.

I come from the north Cork area which for many years enjoyed the benefits of a sugar processing industry. Interest among farmers in the opportunity to produce bio-fuels is substantial. Hundreds, if not thousands, of farmers could be given a financial lifeline if we introduced plans to develop a bio-fuel industry.

Senator O'Reilly's warning not to ignore the debate on food versus fuel is valid. Three or four years ago our embrace of bio-fuels may have been excessively enthusiastic. However, closer scrutiny of significant progress made in South America, particularly Brazil, revealed that forests were being destroyed and the natural food chain affected by the introduction of crops used for bio-fuels. We must maintain a balance. We may not be able to use every acre of land for fuel production but a vast amount of land could be used to grow crops for fuel production without affecting the supply of food.

The Minister and his colleagues must make the transition from words, reports, proposals, promises and projections to action. There is general agreement on the scale of the economic crisis and the need to solve it immediately, starting with next month's budget. In all the darkness and gloom surrounding the economic debate, the energy crisis and global warming we should be able to work together to bring plans to expand bio-fuel production to fruition.

I ask the Minister to reflect seriously on the Fine Gael Party amendment. He will have debated this topic in the Other House with my party's representatives. A great deal of hard work has been invested in producing the Fine Gael Party's policy proposals. They provide a basis for the action required to address the energy crisis. I welcome this debate on an issue that must remain at the top of the political agenda in the coming months. I hope, however, we will be able to move from words to action.