Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support colleagues who are seeking a debate on energy. Such a debate should be open-ended and people should be open-minded in respect of it. We do not have all the answers and it is not possible for us to become experts overnight on the pros and cons of wind, wave, fracking or other methods of producing energy. We must all agree, however, that in order for our country and its economy to grow, thrive and succeed in the long term, we must obtain access to the cheapest sources of energy. That issue must be placed at the very core of the debate on this matter. The strong economies of Europe have access to much cheaper sources of energy than Ireland. It is very difficult, therefore, for the various industries involved in job creation to compete in view of the current level of energy costs. That matter must also be placed at the core of the debate.

Will the Deputy Leader comment on the ongoing saga involving the GSOC? We are now well into the second week of the latter. Yesterday, the Minister for Justice and Equality announced that a retired High Court judge is going to take charge of some type of review into this matter. He also advised that he will publish the terms of reference of that review shortly. I ask the Deputy Leader to ensure that those terms of reference be debated and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. If the review's terms of reference are not widely supported across the Oireachtas, we will again be setting out on a journey towards an unknown destination. This House and the Lower House should engage in a calm debate on those terms of reference. If people feel that the latter should be amended, then they should be given the opportunity to say so. If a debate such as that to which I refer were facilitated, it would show goodwill on the part of the Minister to try to bring about a satisfactory conclusion to this almost two-week old saga. I request that the terms of reference be brought before both Houses - for debate and approval - when they are published. The Deputy Leader is far more expert in legal matters than I am but I am of the view that there is precedent for reviews such as that in question having their terms of reference approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.