I support Senator Whelan's comments on wind energy and his call for the resignation of Mr. Brendan Halligan. The wind energy project is an almighty mess, which could have been resolved in 2012 by the adoption of my wind turbines Bill. People were prepared to accept wind turbines if the set back distances were fair to them. My Bill is in line with the Cloghan judgment of An Bord Pleanála. As a result of my legislation not being adopted, there will be a mass protest on the streets of Dublin on 5 March and people will have their say then.

The pylons issue is similar. It was not dealt with and now we have an almighty mess. In the Cathaoirleach's own county, people will not accept undergrounding. There are various reports questioning the feasibility of the pylon project. The most recent, conducted by BW Energy Consultants and commissioned by Rethink Pylons, warned: "The case for exporting wind power to Britain is non-existent. Grid extension will not work in Ireland because prices will be too expensive..."-----

Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

I am getting to it. The report further states: "The doubling of Ireland's wind energy output which EirGrid says is needed could destabilise the entire network and even result in power blackouts." There is evidence of various conflicts of interest. The former chairman of An Bord Pleanála is the chairman of EirGrid, the former chairman of EirGrid is a director of Element Power-----

The Senator is over time. Has he a question for the Deputy Leader?

-----while many others reports have been commissioned by Siemens to enhance these wind energy projects even though it manufactures the wind turbines. It is widely believed that SEAI is driving the wind element of green energy and not enough energy has gone into all other forms of green energy because of the conflicts of interest.

The Senator is over time.

Like Senator Whelan, I believe Mr. Halligan's position is untenable. He should resign and go now.

Has the Senator a question for the Deputy Leader? He is way over time.

Will somebody define "conflict of interest" and explain it to us?