Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for the very useful and, I hope, helpful debate in the House last night. As Senator Hayden pointed out, this is a momentous day given what will take place tomorrow. I hope last night's debate will be useful to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, as he seeks to develop tactics and policies on the issue addressed in my Bill. I do not agree with Senator Colm Burke's suggestion that taxing rental income for larger companies and landlords could provide a solution as to do so would not benefit tenants. I thank speakers from all sides for their contributions to last night's useful debate.

I ask the Leader to raise with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, an urgent problem that has arisen with regard to adoption. The law on adoption has been changed in Russia and Ireland. As a result, at least four families who had adoptions approved and had the babies in their hands have suddenly found that certain steps must be taken before 31 October, which is only three or four weeks from now. The problem can be resolved and I gather the Minister takes a sympathetic view of the case for doing so.

While I am aware that the House debated energy recently, a number of developments are under way in this regard. It has been brought to my attention that marine energy systems have great potential for development. A considerable amount of energy is produced at the Ardnacrusha power station for the ESB. If we had half a dozen rivers similar to the River Shannon, we could have many more facilities similar in size to Ardnacrusha. The waters off our cost hold out the same potential, however, but technology and Government investment are needed. I ask for a debate on this issue because such an investment would be worthy in the long term as it would pay for itself and reduce energy costs in the years ahead.