Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I support Senators O'Toole and Boyle in their calls for continued support for the arts. It is important we do not make short-sighted decisions and undo some of the tremendous work achieved in the past ten years. I am proud Kerry County Council provided in its annual estimates funding for the Listowel Writers' Week, the national theatre in Tralee and other arts programmes.

I am calling for a debate on national gas supply, particularly in the mid-west region. This week Endesa announced it will proceed with a gas-powered generating station in Tarbert, County Kerry, creating 500 jobs which is to be tremendously welcomed. Bord Gáis Éireann has announced it will lay a pipeline connecting the power station to the national grid. At the same time, Shannon LNG has received permission to extend a gas pipeline on the same path. There is obviously a need for joined-up thinking.

If the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, attended the House, we could highlight the positive elements of these projects. I know the Minister is committed to the creation of an energy hub at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary. Such a debate would help and progress that idea.