Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I acknowledge the amount of work the Government has done in focusing on job creation, the economy - both of which had to be prioritised - and placing the country on a firm financial footing once more, we must also consider the impact of other events, both international and weather related, in the context of this debate.

The first matter to which I wish to refer in this regard is the amount of flooding we have experienced this year. In 2012 the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht produced a report on flooding in the aftermath of a huge summer flooding event which occurred on the River Shannon. I would like that report to be debated in the House at some point during the current year. I realise that there are very pressing matters which must be discussed. However, it is very important that the report in question should be debated here. While flooding events in urban areas often hit the headlines and are the subject of news reports, there are other parts of the country which are flooded on a regular basis and this has an impact on home owners, landowners and businesses. While flooding has subsided in some urban areas, it was not done so in a number of rural ones. The Oireachtas joint committee did a great deal of work when compiling its report and I hope it can be debated in the House, along with the eight recommendations the members of the committee feel should be implemented in order to tackle flooding on the River Shannon as a matter of urgency.

The second matter I wish to discuss is that which relates to a rural and regional enterprise strategy. I welcome all the efforts of the Government and the various agencies involved to ensure that the creation of jobs - by means of foreign direct investment and by indigenous companies - in urban areas. However, I represent a rural constituency, Laoighis-Offaly, and I would like much more effort to be invested in trying to raise the boats of those who live in the midlands. While the latter is not usually the subject of major job announcements, there is no doubt that it has a story to tell in the context of its very skilled and excellent infrastructure. There is a need to focus on these two aspects. One action we could take is to adopt a more coherent tourism strategy, particularly as the midlands has a great deal to offer. It must be noted that many agencies responsible for dealing with tourism. The issue of broadband must also be dealt with, once and for all. Small and medium enterprises are struggling as a result of a lack of regular and constant access to broadband. IDA Ireland does not arrange that many tours of the midlands for potential investors from abroad. There is excellent industrial infrastructure in place in towns such as Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr and this could be used by foreign business which want to establish operations here.

I welcome the efforts made to date in the context of Dáil reform. I particularly welcome the introduction of quotas to encourage increased female representation in this Chamber and in the Seanad. Meeting such quotas is going to present a challenge for the political parties but it would be better for society as a whole if the level of female representation were increased. In the context of other reform, I am concerned that there is conflict with regard to the work schedules of the Dáil and committees. I am of the view that this matter should be examined.

I would like action to be taken, as soon as possible, on the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality into the review of the legislation on prostitution and the reform of the latter in terms of prosecuting the user. The Attorney General and the Department of Health have been asked for their opinions in respect of the report. I urge that this matter be tackled as soon as possible because a serious problem exists in this country in the context of trafficking, prostitution and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I accept that this issue is very broad but there is no doubt that we need to focus on it.

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