On this, budget day, when there will be much talk of prudent management of resources, does the Taoiseach agree the biggest potential for generating wealth in terms of food and power, both wind and wave power, is the marine environment? In that regard and in light of the heart-rending photographs of death and despair in Galicia, has the Taoiseach had time to reflect on the potential for catastrophe if one of the many substandard bulk oil or chemical carriers, like the Prestige, were to break up off the Irish coast? Does he agree the Government is playing fast and loose with maritime safety as highlighted in a report in today's newspapers exposing our failure to inspect even the required 25% of non-Irish registered ships coming into Irish ports? Will the Taoiseach express a view on whether the Irish Government should be before the European Court of Justice on this matter, as is the case?

Does the Taoiseach agree it is criminally negligent of the Government to fail to implement its own report, the emergency towing vessels study of 1999, which has some basic recommendations such as the purchase of ocean going tug boats to deal with a ship in distress as the Prestige was? Will he act decisively? If we are serious about prudent management of our resources we must do that much, which is minimal in the context of the overall budget, and put in place the necessary safeguards to protect the marine environment.

Under European Union rules we are obliged to inspect 25% of boats or ships in the fleet in Irish ports. This year we recruited ten additional marine surveyors and professionals who are registered to do this work. So far, we have inspected 364 ships and boats which is well over our target. We hope to inspect 400 ships in the coming year which is well in excess of our target. We are supportive of any moves at EU level to help to improve safety at sea and standards for shipping.

Our new marine vessel, which has been adapted for towing capacity, will be with us before Christmas, according to the Minister. Our record in this area is good. With our new marine surveyors and professionals, who are registered to do this work, and with our marine vessel and its capabilities, we should be able to substantially improve our position. It is an area in which we must continue to maximise the effort and that is the intention of both the Minister and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

I wish I could believe the Taoiseach when he said trying to maximise the effort. The maritime vessel to which he refers is not designed to pull the tankers about which I am talking. I am talking about the recommendations in the Government's report, the towing vessels study, and about implementing those recommendations.

Is the Taoiseach missing the wider point in relation to the potential of the marine environment in terms of the resources of this country? For example, will he take on board the plea from the renewal energy sector for the provision of transmission lines for off-shore wind farms which have been provided to the petroleum and gas companies which are able to get lines, subsidised by the taxpayers, to various parts of the country? The wind energy sector is not able to get that type of subsidy. Will the Taoiseach redress the balance and start to look at our resources and reduce the dependence on these accident prone oil tankers by using our own resources?

Your minute has concluded.

Will the Taoiseach implement his own study and listen to those who have the interests of this country and its resources at heart?

The Deputy will appreciate I come from a party which set up the Marine Institute and has been supportive of it since day one. Over the past five and a half years this Government has provided it with the resources to do its work. I am glad of the support of Deputy Sargent and the Green Party for our ongoing commitments and our report. The Minister has informed me that the adapted new marine vessel has towing capacity.

Not for oil tankers.

Whatever about that argument which the Deputy could take up in a parliamentary—

There is no point in the Deputy asking a question if he does not want to listen to the answer.

On a point of order—

There is no point of order on Leaders' questions. Deputy Gormley, resume your seat. Once the Chair implements the Standing Order, there is no point of order on Leaders' question time.

Where does it say we have to listen to—

Deputy, I will ask you to leave the House if you persist in being disorderly. The Taoiseach to conclude his reply.

It is obvious that Deputy Gormley knows as little about this area as he does about most others. The vessel has been adapted and can hold vessels in place. As regards wind farm initiatives, as I said last week to Deputy Sargent, the Department is supportive of wind energy issues. Some understanding of infrastructural costs is required and, as the Deputy said, lines cannot be placed unless there is a subsidy. This year the Danes decreased their figures, which were the highest in Europe, because of costs. I agree with the Deputy's general view on this and I think he agrees with mine that if we are to increase our figures substantially, which we should, it should be off-shore. To do that would require a cost base and giving incentives to the private sector could help in that regard. The advantage of an interconnector, ultimately, would be that it would not only be used for its capacity in this country but also for storage, which is crucial. I support the recent report published in this area, as does the Minister, and his staff are trying to find a solution to it.