Paul Bradford (Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the wise comments of Senator Feargal Quinn on the fracking debate. We are all very ill-advised as to the scope of that industry. A lobby group is presenting here today and I am sure it will make a valid contribution to the debate. We have to be willing to examine all these possible sources of energy in a balanced fashion. Senator Quinn has pointed out the difference it has made to energy supplies in the United States, but we all have to start from the perspective that current energy sources and supplies are not sustainable and if this country and Europe and the developed world are to grow, we need safe and secure forms of energy. Everything must be on the table for consideration. Whether it is fracking or anything else, we need to listen to both sides, but we must do so with an open mind. I look forward to having that debate in a fuller fashion over the next few months.

I was not here for the early part of Senator Daly's contribution following last night's programme, but I heard some of it on the phone-in service. It would be helpful if we reflected on that programme, but it was no surprise to me. The public, both in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, are much more concerned about the here and now and living a decent, peaceful life on this island. They do not allow themselves to be as hung up about flags, emblems, symbols, borders, territories and solutions as the politicians sometimes are. We have come out of appalling conflict on this island. If we can ensure the current generation lives in peace and harmony and develops this island, North and South, I would be more than happy to let the next generation or the one after that worry about borders, flags and so-called solutions. I do not like the word "solution" in relation to the conflict we have had on this island, because one person's happy solution is somebody else's sad and tragic solution. We should simply build on the progress that is being made, secure the peace process and let someone worry in 50 or 100 years' time about borders and so-called solutions. I welcome the progress that has been made and recognise that for most people, North and South, a job, a career and a future are of much greater importance than the flying of flags or the singing of anthems.