Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Exactly. Well put by Senator O'Sullivan.

The Leader of the House has been innovative in bringing distinguished visitors here, and none more distinguished than Ms Geoghegan-Quinn. She was the first woman Cabinet Minister in the history of the State. It is difficult to believe that a woman as young as herself was the first. In that sense, it was a new mould. We have come from Arbour Hill today where we recognised what this country has achieved by the sacrifices of the men and women of 1916. It took so long for a woman to be appointed to Cabinet, and Ms Geoghegan-Quinn was the first. It was a matter the Cathaoirleach mentioned.

Ms Geoghegan-Quinn's work is vital. As a former trade Minister, I realise that research and development is vital. Her speech was progressive. I heard her on "Morning Ireland" this morning as well, where she outlined her work in Brussels. She brought to that her knowledge of industry in the then Department of Industry and Commerce and all the Ministries in which she served. She had a good grounding for her job as Commissioner because she realises what is vital - research and development and the development of small industries. Her work in research with the universities here is vital.

Tomorrow, as Ms Geoghegan-Quinn stated, is Europe Day. Since we joined the European Union, we have had 40 years of development and progress. The European Union has been good to Ireland and Ireland has been good to Europe. As such, it is a two-way message.

Ms Geoghegan-Quinn's work is vital. The area of research on alternative energy - wave, wind and solar - is one field that she has been discussing. These are areas where we can eliminate or certainly reduce our input into energy. There are controversies relating to wind power, and those can be resolved. There are areas of this country where residencies would not be affected. People are affected by turbines. That is a fact and it causes distress, but there are numerous locations in which they can be erected without causing distress. They are essential. We are blessed with the best wind power in Europe. It is an area that is being developed.

The technology for wave energy has not yet been fully developed. Ms Geoghegan-Quinn could see the Atlantic Ocean at home and will be aware of the power there. That is an area in which more research needs to be done.

When all this research and development is done, let us build these in Ireland. With respect to our friends in China, the turbines, wave energy and all of that innovation can be manufactured in this country. Ireland has a good manufacturing base and it can continue in that regard.

I thank Ms Geoghegan-Quinn for coming to the House. We are delighted to have her here. We wish her continued success as Commissioner in the role she plays. I believe she is making an enormous contribution to Europe and to the development of this country.