Fiona O'Malley (Independent)

There is a certain irony in the European Union voting a budget increase for itself last week when it is requiring every member state to reduce its budget. It is setting an appalling example. Could we have a debate on that issue? We do not get enough time in the Oireachtas to discuss such issues. We will impose a huge burden on the Irish people in the next budget. It is largely under the direction of keeping the rules in Europe together but then the European Parliament voted itself an increase. This is a matter the House needs to debate.

Over the weekend I attended a conference in Istanbul on human trafficking and the empowerment of women. It was good to hear from parliamentarians across the world describe the legislative action they have taken and the co-operation among countries to stop the practice of human trafficking. While not the same matter, I read recently of some women in Ireland released from false imprisonment in sham marriages. The Minister for Justice and Law Reform should attend the House to explain what specific legislation is required to reduce this. At the conference, a parliamentarian from Malaysia explained when its government showed a will on this matter, levels of human trafficking were turned around. As Ireland is seen as a destination country, we must debate our responsibilities in this area.

While at this conference, I also noted Istanbul's great metro-bus system. As we are thinking about spending much money on the metro north project, the cost-benefit analysis must be re-examined. The Istanbul model was a cheap alternative. Will the Minister for Transport attend the House for a debate on the metro north project? We need to examine the project's costs and see if a cheaper alternative, similar to that in Istanbul, could be built.