Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Paul Coghlan's amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 15 be taken before No. 1.

I ask the Leader to list in order of priority a number of serious issues raised by Senators. I agree with Senators Brian Ó Domhnaill, John Kelly and John Whelan on the issue of wind energy. It is not often that Senators are all on the same page on an issue. I have a problem with the wind energy industry and its value to the economy. I have raised this issue repeatedly. What will Ireland and taxpayers get from the sector? Rather than a return, all I see are many blots on the landscape where turbines have been erected. These turbines are not built or serviced by an Irish company and the energy is sold on at a profit for the wind energy company. If someone can convince me that Ireland will make money out of wind energy projects, I will run with the current proposal. Senator Sean D. Barrett and I have debated the issue. I want a Minister to state - it is of no concern to me which one comes to the House - what value wind energy projects will deliver for Ireland and indicate the return to the taxpayer for the next 50 years.

On a much lighter note, I compliment Michael O'Leary and Ryanair on the Santa project they are running out of Shannon Airport. When 300,000 passengers were announced for Shannon Airport, Mr. O'Leary was asked by a journalist how he would promote the airport. He has literally pulled the answer out of the skies. Some 4,000 children will fly for 40 minutes above the clouds on 24 flights out of Shannon Airport in the next two weeks. This is a fantastic promotion for children in the region and the airport. Well done to Michael O'Leary and Neil Pakey, chief executive of the Shannon Group.