Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and I acknowledge the presence of Deputy Tony McLoughlin, who pioneered this Bill. Great credit must go to him for pushing this Private Members' Bill so far. It is great to see we are on the verge of passing this legislation. As Senators have said, we hope it will go to the President imminently so it can be made into law.

As representatives of the Government we will not support the amendment. The debate needs to happen but today is about fracking and how we can ensure this particular matter can be dealt with. Deputy McLoughlin set out an agenda and has delivered so far on it. If we brought this into the debate, it would slow the process, although the House should have the debate at some stage. Senator Grace O'Sullivan is capable and an excellent Senator but we should have a debate with the Minister on future fuel needs and how we will legislate for them. It is a broader debate that will involve solar farms and guidelines, wind farms and electric cars. A variety of topics must be dealt with. We need to have the Minister in the House for a considerable period to thrash out the issues so we can move ahead with appropriate legislation for our country. It is a key matter for us as a nation. Unless we act now, it will be too late. Senator O'Sullivan has great knowledge in the field and we must try to work with everyone in the House to ensure there is appropriate legislation for everyone.

As I stated, this Bill is about fracking and an initiative brought forward by Deputy McLoughlin. I hope that today we can bring it forward and have it passed. I hope the Bill will move swiftly through the House in the next hour and I hope it can be enacted.