James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator McDowell, sorry. Pardon me. Dare I say, it was a senior moment.

Senator McDowell raised an interesting point about aquifers. I would like to see that report and consider its accuracy. We have had a lot of discussion about that in north County Dublin where there is a large aquifer but the information I had at the time was that it certainly would not be sufficient on its own to supply the requirements. Nonetheless, the Senator's point is well made.

I endorse and support Senator Swanick's request for a motion. This is an area that I have been very interested in for quite some time. I raised it with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, when I was Minister for Health and subsequently again, if memory serves, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I have written to the Minister more recently to find out what is the up-to-date position. In fairness to the Minister, at that time the moneys concerned were quite small and he certainly intimated to me that there would be an orderly wind down of any investments in the tobacco industry. I believe it is questionable to have investments, as such, with an industry that has caused so much misery, hardship, hurt, harm and death right across the globe.