Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On Nos. 1 and 2, it is important to note that direct services by the two airlines between Canada and Ireland will start next April. Currently, it is a 12 hour journey and for most Canadians, Ireland is located somewhere around Moscow. If we can facilitate travel to our nearest neighbour to the west, we should do so. I would not like a message to go out to Canadians that the Seanad was opposing these agreements, albeit for procedural reasons.

Last month the Seanad played the classic role of David against Goliath. We did so last night also. Obviously, the ESB and EirGrid are convinced of the merits of using pylons. However, the citizens are not and it was correct that we stood up for them. As has been said, it was an interesting debate. Senior civil servants also think one should have a television licence, regardless of whether one has a television. There were interventions in the debate on the taxi Bill to prevent bus competition because the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is intrinsically against competition, either on the road or in the case of subsidies. Today I received a highly contentious statement. The explanatory memorandum to the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013 which is not meant to be contentious states: "The Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2012 provide the statutory basis for the regulation of the health insurance market in the interest of the common good". It does no such thing. It does so in the interests of the State monopoly insurance company. We need more David versus Goliath competitions and also a reform agenda with a Government economic service. I put the proposition to the Leader that where civil servants are committed to an issue and they use the Minister as a PR outlet, we must have the necessary data. How much more does wind energy cost us? The latest estimate for the PSO is approximately €150 million. We cannot allow the Government to be colonised by the permanent government to the extent that it has been. Most interestingly, Mr. John McManus wrote in The Irish Time only on Monday that as we were out of the bailout programme, we needed a reform agenda. Many of those who put the country on the rocks in 2008 are in the permanent government. We must question them in this House. That will be a role for us. The Government needs an independent economic service to evaluate the policies sent to this House and to put numbers on them.

What occurred last night was a very useful start in that regard.

I welcome the holding of the inaugural meeting of NI21, a new cross-community party in Northern Ireland, on Saturday. We need cross-community movements to address the concerns of both traditions in Northern Ireland and to promote better relations among all the people of the island. I wish the new party well.