Ms Nessa Childers:

That discussion should be conducted as quickly as possible. Alcohol and tobacco are hugely problematic and the lobbyists in both areas are very powerful, particularly in the alcohol industry. We see lobbyists in these industries disguise themselves in various ways - for example, as anti-smuggling or anti-counterfeiting lobbyists. These are concerns, but if we know how to investigate these issues, we can find out who is behind them. If we do find out, we must expose them. There are a number of ways of going about this. In the case of tobacco, I consider public relations firms that work in the tobacco area to be the equivalent of arms dealers. Deputy James Reilly said something even worse about them. I told the ASH organisation that I would expose such firms if I saw them, and I did. I know that is a hard approach, but it is necessary. If our children are not to die of tobacco-related illnesses, this is what we need to do. I do not believe lobbying in regard to tobacco is the same as other kinds of lobbying or public relations, because these lobbyists support things that kill people. On our attitude to alcohol, it is up to all of us to change the attitude. Perhaps we should provide an example here.

Senator Kelly asked about wind energy, but I need to explore that further as it relates to the energy committee rather than the environment committee. There is so much legislation to be dealt with overall that one could easily become derailed. I am aware that when the Chair of the environment committee came here as part of the Presidency, he met with people in the wind energy sector. I must ask him more about that, but I will also find out what the position is in Europe with regard to wind energy. Our planning system does not work very well with regard to these things. We must also be very sensitive to the health implications of wind turbines. I am not an expert in that area and I have not had the time to explore it.

I think I have dealt with all of the questions, but feel free to tell me if I have not.