Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

We need clarity. We are all adults and very well educated and should be told the truth. If this was done, we could move forward.

I join Senator Quinn in calling for a debate on wind energy. Last week I held a seminar in County Meath on the subject. A great number of jobs could be created in the sector. Denmark created 23,000 jobs in it which would translate to approximately 500 jobs in every county in Ireland. We need to consider this. We can become self-sufficient using wind and wave power. I would, therefore, welcome a debate on the issue.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate at the earliest possible opportunity on the overseas development aid budget, to which we are committed. We are on the world stage in respect of it and do tremendously good work. I was very pleased to hear the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, say last week that the overseas development aid budget was but a drop in the ocean by comparison with the overall budget. It appears he is willing to look very favourably on retaining it. We could have a very useful cross-party debate on the issue. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange it before the budget, preferably next week.