Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Critical Utilities (Security of Supply) Bill 2013: Second Stage

 

6:25 pm

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and everybody who has spoken on the Bill. I found it interesting that Fianna Fáil had appointed somebody with the name Power to debate the issue of electricity. I wondered whether the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, whose name is Robert Watt, was also going to turn up to speak.

I listened to and appreciate everything the Minister said. I also appreciate the contributions made to the debate. I do not want to be complacent. We have had good labour relations in recent years. However, my concern is that there is a degree of complacency. There is a huge responsibility on everybody involved in labour relations to ensure that even the threat does not do harm. There was a threat last week and it did harm to the hard work the Minister had been doing to try to get industry to come to Ireland. The threat that power or water may be lost is dangerous.

I looked into this area and discovered that eight countries in Europe had legislation covering essential supplies. This is a debate that should continue here, which is the reason I suggest I adjourn this debate in order that we may continue it in the future. Perhaps we might come back to it on another day. I thank everybody who contributed to the debate and thank the Minister for his kind words about the Bill. In particular, I thank Senator Sean D. Barrett who seconded the motion. I hope we now have time to think about and discuss the Bill and, perhaps, come to a conclusion.

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