Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Toole asked that the trafficking Bill be brought forward. He was very critical of the attitude of compulsion requiring semi-State bodies and State organisations to have everything as Gaeilge agus as Béarla. I am in two minds on this question. He stated that the Government Publications Office had no customers requesting an Irish version of the Budget Statement, which is telling in itself.

Senator Ryan asked the reason for the delay in bringing forward the trafficking Bill. He stated that more women are currently enslaved than was the case in more than 400 years of the slave trade. We will try to debate the Genealogy and Heraldry Bill next week, if time is available. Assuming the Prisons Bill passes Second Stage, the House will deal with Committee Stage of that Bill next Tuesday when the Minister will be free to begin working on it. We might have time then for the Senator's Bill.

A debate on the nursing homes issue is scheduled for next week. Senator Ryan also referred to the massive cutbacks in fish catches and asked for a debate on the matter. He stated that the fish caught in our waters by other than Irish trawlers since we joined the EU is probably worth €30 billion.

I will be very pleased to address the Bill referred to by Senator Brennan. I am glad he is in the House because his colleague had brought it to my attention.

Senator Finucane referred to the case of the Latvian woman who was murdered. I agree that it was a shocking event. It was so clinical and awful that she was murdered as she stood in her hall talking to somebody.

Senator Leyden welcomed the decision by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Peter Hain, to extend free travel throughout the island of Ireland. He stated that along with other members of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, he is working on the repatriation of Irish people in Britain who live in dire straits and bad housing conditions. Many single elderly men find it very difficult to access local authority housing.

Senator Norris asked for a debate on the Corrib gas field and the Shell to Sea campaign. He supported Senator O'Toole's point about the Irish language and asked for a debate on charities.

Senator Mansergh asked for a debate on democracy, press freedom and human rights throughout the world which are now threatened by the use of assassination. He seconded the call for a debate on the Rossport situation. In response to Senator Brian Hayes, Senator Mansergh stated that it is not the practice to publish the advice of Attorneys General, but Taoisigh and Ministers may make statements on that basis.

Senator Terry also raised the matter of the trafficking of women. These women think they are going to the promised land. They are told they are going to a job with big money and when they get here, they find it is slavery.

Senator Ó Murchú referred to TG4 which we all like to watch. There is a difference between watching a good television programme and reading a turgid report because the tempo is slightly different. His case about the gaelscoileanna was well made. The effort needs to continue to be made and this is the point.

In response to Senator O'Meara, there is no doubt that the Privacy Bill will not be taken before Christmas——