Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Craughwell's remarks in respect of the practice around closure of businesses, as in the case of Clerys, a debate on which practice was also called for yesterday by Senator Norris.

On the proposed debate on housing, it is important to reference some of the positive initiatives announced yesterday in the context of housing. Unlike in every other country in Europe our rental sector has been neglected for a long time and we are starting from a low base. In terms of the announcement made yesterday, there has been little mention today of the many positive steps taken with regard to rent reviews, longer notice periods, tenancy terminations and security and, particularly, the deposit retention scheme and measures to increase housing supply, including by way of changes to the development levy and tax incentives to encourage landlords to accept tenants on the housing assistance payment or rent supplement. These will all be very beneficial. I would go a step further and incentivise landlords who are in mortgage distress to take on tenants of the housing assistance payment, HAP, and the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, schemes. While a lot has been done, there is much more to do.

I ask that the Leader make provision for a debate on gender equality in the Irish media. A recently published report on the Irish media indicates that Irish radio in particular is male dominated. Some 82% of Newstalk staff are male and 18% are female. Staff at Today FM are 70% male and 30% female. The RTE Radio 1 programme "This Week" fared worst in that 99.5% of its staff are male. It is not that women have nothing to say - they have a great deal to say.The female was always accused of being the chatterbox. What is wrong with the media in Ireland that it has neglected the female voice in favour of the male voice? We have different things to say as well and that should be taken into account. I compliment Sarah Carey whose programme has the highest number of female voices and that is because it is led by a female. Could we have a debate on gender specific media performances?