Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I wish to broaden the discussion on concerns raised by Senators about the welfare of Irish children. As of next week, thousands of children from Belarus will come here to stay with Irish families. I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs or at least one of those Ministers to discuss the uncaring attitude adopted by the Government towards issuing visas to the citizens of Belarus. Many families who contacted me recently are devastated because children who have been their guests for a number of years have been denied visas. The children or their families must travel to Moscow at considerable expense to secure visas, which they are often denied. If we care about our children, we should also show a caring attitude to other children. Many Irish parents are devastated because children from Belarus who have made friends with their own children are being denied access to Ireland this summer. It is time to take action to ensure this is not allowed to continue. I call for a debate on the matter about which the Minister for Foreign Affairs is both aware and concerned.

Last week I called for a debate on a agriculture. This debate should focus on the nitrates directive and the cost it is imposing on farmers. Across the country, various local authorities have introduced stealth taxes in the form of development charges. These charges are severe in certain counties, medium in some and non-existent in others. There should be an equilibrium in this regard. We need to update the rate of grant payments to farmers for works they must carry out under the nitrates directive. The current costings relate to 2004 but we are all aware that they have risen steeply, so a discussion is required on that matter. The Minister should implement proper costings for grants available to farmers, otherwise there is no point in her saying that she is doing a great job in getting an extra 10% for farmers in Europe.