As somebody who organised a renewable energy conference in Dublin Castle during the year, I know there has been a lot of negative comment. Notwithstanding the soundbites on the Order of Business in the Seanad, I do not believe it is an appropriate place to discuss this but it is an appropriate place to raise issues, such as conflicts of interest. I was at the environment committee yesterday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. to hear from three different companies. A question was asked about conflicts of interest and the three companies all said there were none. Bord na Móna was present although Sustainable Energy Ireland was not. I believe questions raised in that manner must be answered. I call on Sustainable Energy Ireland to come out today and say if there is a conflict of interest, or even a perceived conflict of interest.

We should have another debate on wind energy in the Chamber, although that is not what I wish to speak about.

As a spokesperson on the environment, it is incumbent on me to state that there are both positive and negative aspects to wind energy. We always tend to hear about the negatives but the positives must also be aired.

There are more negatives than positives.

Yes, but we cannot discuss the matter in detail on the Order of Business.

I wish to refer to Bitcoin, the new currency which originated online and which is trading in Ireland. It is a virtual currency but it is also a real one that is worth $119 per unit. The authorities in Germany have made moves to recognise Bitcoin and to discover how they can tax transactions made in the currency. There may be a possibility of our not being at the races when it comes to the euro and Bitcoin. The authorities in America have taken an alternative view and have referred to the validity of the currency and the fact that it is being used to facilitate certain underground transactions. Trade in Bitcoin is happening in Ireland and I request a debate on the matter. It may not be possible to regulate the currency. I am not stating that Bitcoin is bad and it could certainly be good in the context of facilitating transactions online. Ireland is a high-tech country. It must recognise Bitcoin, use it if there are benefits to doing so and, if possible, regulate it. A previous speaker referred to the banks not trading in coins. Trading in coins is taking place but it is taking place online in the form of Bitcoin.