Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I should have taken a tea break, since the argument was being made so well by my colleague, Senator O'Reilly. I support what he said and look forward to hearing the Minister's response and explanation of the thinking behind his amendments. It will be interesting to hear what exactly he believes will stem from the changes he intends to make. First, I should congratulate him on his safe deliverance in the reshuffle which is always a difficult and dangerous political journey. He has done a solid and constructive job in his Government duties to date.

This legislation is significant from both an economic and environmental perspective. Hopefully, whatever we do not finalise and fine-tune in this House, the Minister may be able to progress in the other House. With regard to the amendments before us, where Fine Gael is coming from has been clearly outlined by Senator Joe O'Reilly. During the Second Stage contributions, and on Committee Stage in supporting amendments made by Senator O'Reilly, the Fine Gael Senators were trying as far as possible to use the legislation to promote a native bio-fuels industry, which would be of huge significance from an environmental perspective but also from an agricultural perspective. There is no need to explain this to the Minister because he is very much aware from his discussions around the Cabinet table that the plight of Irish agriculture is very serious and new growth opportunities are urgently needed. In the whole area of bio-fuels, we have an opportunity to marry two problems into a solution. I am interested to learn from the Minister how he believes his amendment and the ministerial order can impact in regard to helping the development of a native industry.

In responding to our amendments and commenting on his own amendment, the Minister might outline the consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Standards Authority of Ireland in the context of amendment No. 10 and section 44X(3). Is it possible for the Minister to include the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in that consultation grouping as it is important that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would be involved to some degree in fine-tuning this legislation? It would be a signal from the office of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the need to have the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as deeply involved as possible in having this legislation enacted.

To sum up, we have made progress in the Bill. The introduction of bio-fuels into the fuel mix is good for every citizen from an environmental perspective but it is important we use the opportunity. While it is interesting the opportunity stems from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources rather than the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, it is the first opportunity for the House to use legislation to develop, or at least commence development, of a genuine native bio-fuels industry.

I would be very pleased if Senator O'Toole's amendments, which are very much akin to the thinking of Senator O'Reilly, could be enacted as written. However, I recognise the Minister is at least going a long way to meet us. He might clarify what exactly will be the import of his thinking on the legislation.

I thank the Minister for giving so much time to the House on the Bill. It is more than a step in the right direction - it is many steps in the right direction. It will make a difference to motorists and people in the transport industry, which is correct from an environmental perspective. However, I would dearly wish it to also make a positive impact on the development of a native bio-fuels industry, which would be of significant assistance to Irish agriculture and the creation of jobs in rural Ireland.

We heard the Taoiseach in the other House talk about the new configuration of Government Departments. If it is all about jobs, we have to try to ensure in the remaining months or years of this Government, whichever it is, that every piece of legislation will focus on job opportunities, whether in the field of education, agriculture, tourism or communications and energy. There are job prospects to be gleaned from every single Bill brought forward - certainly, this Bill can produce jobs in rural Ireland. I hope the Minister's amendments will be effective in that regard.

I look forward to the Minister's response. I thank him for his interest in the legislation and for his willingness to at least take on board some of the concerns and views from this side of the House. I hope anything that cannot be finalised in this House, despite our giving it every opportunity, can be fine-tuned in the other House.