Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having listened to the speakers, I am reminded of the anniversary of that terrible tragedy which took place last year and the fact that we are the worst users of cash and cheques in Europe. We do not use modern technology in regard to financial transactions of various kinds. No other country in Europe still uses cheques to the extent that we use them or require the same amount of protection in regard to cash being stolen from banks and elsewhere. Let me give one example. France is introducing a €5 coin rather than a €5 note. That appears to make sense given that it costs the State a huge amount of money to issue notes that have to be replaced now and then whereas the coins do not have to be replaced. A great experiment took place in Wexford to remove one cent and two cent coins from currency because they are generally not used to any extent as people do not value them on that basis. I have not heard the result of that experiment. We are not using technology in the manner that we could. I mentioned yesterday that Britain is no longer issuing a car tax disc because it has found a more modern way. Perhaps we could find time for a debate on modern technology and what is happening around the world from which we can learn, and not only in regard to the instances I have given. However, they are examples of what we can do to save the State money and also to avoid some of the other problems that they create.

I welcome the opportunity to draw attention to the aviation conference which is taking place in Dublin. The figures being presented are huge. Ireland is one of the two largest aviation centres in the world. A little country like Ireland has a tradition of aviation ever since Alcock and Brown crossed the Atlantic for the first time from west to east. These are the issues that have established Ireland as a centre of aviation authority. The conference has attracted people from all over the world who are talking about very successful developments. A company called Avalon produced a film last night showing the tradition of aviation in Ireland and how successful it has been. It will be shown on RTE next month. I mention it because it is a reminder of the success stories in Ireland, some of which we hide and do not shout about. It is probably worthy of a debate at some point in the future.