Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The horror of what is happening in the Holy Land is affecting all of us. However, I am rather surprised that I hear no support for the problems faced by Israel itself. Imagine being in a situation in which bombs and missiles are being continuously loaded onto your cities and you are expected to sit back and do nothing. We want peace in Israel and Gaza, but we expect and only hear anti-Israeli comments. It is time for balance on this and I would like to hear that balance expressed, not just here but in the media as well.

I would like to draw attention to an interesting survey entitled Love Irish Food, which was published this week. When I shop, I like to buy on the basis of price, taste and value. I also like to buy Irish-produced food. I was surprised that the survey indicated that large numbers of people assume the products they buy are made in Ireland. Many people are unaware of the fact that Lyons tea is not produced in Ireland - Barry's tea is - that HB ice cream is not produced in Ireland and that Batchelors beans are produced here while Heinz beans are not. I do not suggest we should boycott these products, but knowing where the food is produced plays a part in the decisions we make.

I bring one bit of good news to the House. I was delighted to discover that the Brighter Evenings Bill, a Private Members' Bill, is being introduced in the Dáil this week. I have had a hang-up for 20 years or more about the need for Ireland to align itself with Central European Time. The good news is that Deputy Tommy Broughan has introduced this Bill in the Dáil. The Bill is based on what has happened in Britain recently, where there has been cross-party support for a Bill suggesting that a three-year test be carried out. We should move to Central European Time for three years as a test, as was done back in the late 1960s. This would give us brighter evenings the whole year round and the benefits of that would be immense. I believe this will happen now because there has been an attitude change in Scotland and other parts of Britain. They will probably accept this. The sooner we get this Brighter Evenings Bill passed, so that we are in a situation to move at the same time as Britain, the better. This would bring all sorts of benefits, including in the areas of tourism and energy. It might also help reduce road accidents. It is something we should undertake and I congratulate Deputy Tommy Broughan on the Bill's introduction.