Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I refer to the REFIT price for wind energy. It is very important that we try to get a decision on this. I listened to the Minister yesterday replying to a question in the Dail. He is awaiting a response from the Commission. It beggars belief that we have an industry that has stopped even though it is crucial to the development of our country at a time when we need economic growth. One of the bodies funding the country, the European Commission, is also stalling on this decision. This project will allow people to advance. I am in contact with people involved in the construction of wind farms. Hundreds of billions of euros of work is lined up if the Commission responds with a one-line response to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am not asking the Leader to request a response from the Minister, who is at his wits end trying to get a decision from the Commission. With the consent of the Seanad, I ask for all-party agreement on a motion. I expect a unanimous decision from the Commission to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that the REFIT programme can be agreed to as quickly as possible. There is hundreds of millions of euro worth of work which could be done immediately. If we want this Chamber to be relevant, this is something we could do with the agreement of the Whips.