Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I share the concern of Senator Darragh O'Brien, leader of the Fianna Fáil group, regarding the lack of legislation, and I take issue with remarks that during the 14 years of Fianna Fáil government we carried on business in much the same way. I refute that as someone who was a Member during that period and during the final three years of the rainbow coalition. I do not have a recollection of such a lack of legislative business in the first three months of a year. I cannot, nor do I not wish to, point the finger at the Leader. He can only deal with the legislation that comes from the other House and very little is coming from there. However, will he continue to encourage Ministers to initiate legislation in the House? We have a proud and long record of initiating legislation here. The more far-sighted Ministers take legislation in the House first because they know it will be dissected and analysed in a much more timely and non-contentious fashion than in the Lower House.

I assume Senator Mary Ann O'Brien was not referring to an either-or scenario in respect of the funding of the Irish Heritage Centre in Manchester. I do not think she meant there should be funding here instead. I echo her complimentary remarks on the opening of the heritage centre. I know not only the centre but also many of the principals involved, particularly Michael Forde from Mayo, who has been the leading light on a project that goes back 20 years, which successive Governments have sympathetically supported. In practical terms, the €1 million mentioned was allocated several years ago. This is a great day for the Irish in Manchester. The original site for the heritage centre was toxic and it was in the ownership of Manchester City Council, but such was the strong influence of the Irish community in the city that the council handed over the site on which the centre will be developed gratis. It is a wonderful achievement and it is a testament to the work of Michael Forde and his hard-working committee. I hope the Government will continue to support this project. The fact that the Taoiseach was present yesterday says a great deal about that.

Will consideration be given to a debate on wave energy in the overall context of energy policy? The reason I raise it is that the Irish Independent has again highlighted an issue with fracking, as it did last week. It devoted two pages yesterday to the potential for wave energy and the significant investment that is being made. Will the Leader consider debating a report published by committee C of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, of which I am proud to be a member under the chairmanship of Deputy Jack Wall? The report focuses on the potential of wave energy and it issued to both the British and Irish Governments in the latter part of last year.