Does the Tánaiste consider that the shape of Strangford Lough and the fall of the tide there makes it the most suitable place in the country for the exploitation of tidal energy, and whether this might be a scene in which he could invite consideration of a cross-Border project for the generation of electricity which would serve both jurisdictions?

Unfortunately there are no sites in this country, North or South, which are really suitable for the generation of electricity by tidal power. Some are more suitable than others and the one mentioned by the Deputy is one of the more suitable ones. I would not like the House to think that I am suggesting that any of them is really suitable. Further work is going ahead because I want to ensure that we are not leaving any stone unturned in this regard. If it proved to be feasible, I would bear what the Deputy said in mind. At present there are more fruitful areas of co-operation in the energy field possibly between North and South to the great advantage of both North and South and they are being frustrated by a handful of people whose motivation escapes me.

Hear, hear.

It is quite clear, for instance, that the North could sell us electricity and we could contemplate selling natural gas to the North to our mutual benefit but that does not appear to be a possibility at the moment.

That is a whole new field.

I am sorry about that but I thought I might mention it.

The House fully agrees with what the Minister said.

Everybody does.

Is there a point at which it is possible that some of the inlets in Ireland would be economic for the production of electricity by tidal means? Does the Minister think it is possible that they will all be ruled out no matter what the price of oil is?

We will not know until some more experimental work has been done whether there is anything more than a marginal possibility involved. I would remind Deputies that I am talking about tidal power. Wave power on the other hand has enormous potential for us. We are involved in research in that field and we are joining in international research in Japan and in Britain in regard to wave power. The technical problems are considerable but great progress has been made. If I had to choose in this area I would concentrate on wave power rather than on tidal power.

Question No. 11.

I would ask the Minister not to forget that work is also being done in the university in Cork.

I am aware of that too.