Joe O'Toole (Independent)

-----in which we would also deal with the Front Line report on the Shell to Sea campaign. There are issues in that regard that need to be discussed. We must consider why the Government has not moved on the issue. If we are to achieve independence in energy production, gas from the Corrib field must be brought ashore. This should be an issue of urgency, although I agree that Shell must comply with every single law we put in front of it. One of the issues blocking progress is the Government's refusal to proceed with the offshore renewable energy development Bill which was put together by the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security - the first committee ever to produce a Bill - with full support from all parties. However, the Department, for its own reasons, is not prepared to go ahead with it. I ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, to overrule his departmental advisers and proceed with the Bill which would allow offshore development to be carried out in an efficient and effective manner. I apologise for going over the allotted time.