Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Whelan's comments about the need for a debate on energy policy. The success of fracking, whether we like it or not, has changed energy prices and we need to review the policy.

Will the Deputy Leader comment on the remarks of Mr. Barroso last weekend that an independent Scotland might not be a suitable member of the EU? It is entirely inappropriate that he should have intervened in the Scottish referendum. Boundaries in Europe change. The Germany that is now the core member of the Union is quite different in area from the one that joined it. Slovakia and the Czech Republic separated from one another and both are members while the countries that were formerly part of Yugoslavia are either EU member states or on the route to accession. The decision in Scotland is best left to the people of Scotland. However, this is not the first time Mr. Barroso has made strange remarks about this part of the world, not least his comment at the turn of the year that Ireland has caused the banking crisis in Europe. Apparently, he was not invited to celebrations at Trinity College Dublin when Ireland was exiting the bailout. I was not invited either and, therefore, he should not have taken it too personally. I am not even sure if the event took place but he is prone to making such remarks and it is unsuitable for a person in his position to do so. The Deputy Leader is a distinguished lawyer and I am sure she will put him right on this issue.