Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I would like to invite him to the House to defend himself. Union leaders are trying to defend the indefensible at a time when the vast majority of people, the 400,000 people unemployed and those in receipt of social welfare benefits, have to pay enormous electricity and gas bills. I accept there have been increases owing to the cost of oil and gas. However, pay is a big issue.

I would like to hear the Ministers views on fraccing, which is a concern in the northwest. There have been a number of studies on this. President Obama has set up a committee to examine the issue. Also, the French Government has put a moratorium on fraccing and the EU is looking at it. In the US, Maryland, New Jersey and the City of Buffalo have all banned fraccing because of a fear of water contamination. I would be concerned if we were to proceed without full knowledge of the possible downsides in this regard. Once water is contaminated it remains contaminated forever. I would like to hear the Minister's view on that point.