Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Barrett referred to the fracking situation. The news came through just this week that a British company, Nebula Resources, is to explore for shale gas in the Irish Sea. We have turned our back on fracking when we have not even had a discussion on it. We must look at what has happened in other parts of the world, particularly the United States. Ten years ago, the US was importing so much oil that it was very concerned about costs but, since fracking began, it has totally turned around that situation. The cost of fuel has come down dramatically and there have been practically no cases along the lines of the concerns that are expressed here.

I am not arguing for fracking but for a discussion on fracking, particularly if it is going to come into the Irish Sea. If it is done by a British company in the Irish Sea, I do not know what particular rights we or the British have there. However, it seems outrageous we are turning our back on something like this. Whenever anybody comes up with a suggestion, there seems to be a lobby in this country that says, "No, no, no. Not us. Not in my back yard". Let us at least have the discussion and make sure we find a way to make ourselves competitive in the years ahead.

The issue raised by Senator Colm Burke was one that certainly startled me. He was referring to prescription charges, in particular for generic medicines. It is some six months since we passed the law in Ireland allowing pharmacists to substitute a generic product for a branded product. I mention this because of the startling figures given during the week for a particular product, Lipitor. It was selling for €10 and €11 throughout Ireland, with no generic substitute being offered, whereas the same product is on sale in Newry for €6, or £5. I do not understand, if there is supposed to be competition, why the public are not getting the benefits of this competition. We passed the law here to allow pharmacists to substitute a generic product for the prescribed product, and it does not seem to be happening. We seem to be charging outrageous prices here compared to the North.