Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I join Senator Mullins in congratulating the American people on their Independence Day and I offer my best wishes to the US ambassador, Dan Rooney, and his wife. It was great that the ambassador attended yesterday's discussion in the House along with the British ambassador. I ask the Leader to correspond with the US ambassador on behalf of the Seanad. All of us would agree that it is an important day and there are so many connections between our countries that the fact that the Seanad is thinking of them today would be appreciated.

I ask the Leader to arrange an early debate on job creation. I am particularly interested in a statement made over the weekend by Eddie O'Connor, who is the CEO of Mainstream Renewable Power and former chief executive of Bord na Móna. Mr. O'Connor proposes to create 40,000 jobs with a €12.5 billion plan to export electricity from Ireland to Britain. Ireland will meet its mandatory targets for renewable energy by 2020. This proposal should be supported by the Government and Mr. O'Connor should be invited to work with it on job creation because he has a good track record in this regard. We could cut imports of oil by €3 billion per annum. There is no doubt about the number of jobs this plan could create. We have one of the best opportunities for developing wind energy and Mr. O'Connor proposes to construct wind turbines in Ireland. Wind turbines do not need to be located in tourism areas and can be sited where they do not affect the environment. I look forward to debating the Bill prepared by Senator Kelly, if it ever sees the light of day again.