Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I agree with Senator Whelan's point about the credit union movement. It is something we need to look at in the debate, both in this House and in the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of Africa Day or, as it has become, Africa week. I would share the welcome for that. He sought a debate on immigration and asylum seekers. We recently had a debate on this in the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. The Minister for Justice and Equality explained to the committee - it was reported quite widely - that he would re-introduce the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 given the large array of amendments, particularly Government amendments, that had been put forward to the last version of it. As the Senator will be aware, it has gone through a number of different permutations. We want to ensure it is a strong, watertight and comprehensive Bill.