Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The child poverty figures published recently are startling. The figures startled me because the figures have disimproved. Up to last year one child in ten suffered what is regarded as poverty but this year the figures have reduced to one child in nine. In spite of all the money that has been thrown at addressing this problem, it is a huge scandal that we are allowing this to happen in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The evidence available clearly highlights that something can be done to address this problem at pre-school level. It is possible to identify at a very early age children who will end up at the bottom of the class, children who will be among the 20% who do not finish school and those children who, as teenagers, will end up being in breach of the provisions of anti-social behaviour legislation. Investment to address this problem is needed at pre-school level, but we have not taken even the first steps in that direction.

I mention that issue because I received in my mail today details of the proposed charities Bill from the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, to be introduced shortly after Easter. The document he circulated outlined the main provisions in the Bill. I have sought the introduction of this legislation for a long time but if there was ever a point of saying too little too late it is in this instance, although it is better late than never. The Leader might advise what will happen in regard to the passage of this proposed Bill. If it is published in Easter Week, when it is likely to come to the floor of the House? Will the same Bill be handled by a new Government? Does it make sense to publish Bills at this time of the year just before an election?

I also received in my mail today a free copy of a magazine, which other Members have also probably received. It is not a magazine I read, it is targeted at younger people, certainly people younger than me. However, out of that magazine fell a promotion for smoking, a free product for smoking. I will not give any details that might encourage it, but it must be against all the legislation we introduced to prevent the promotion of smoking. Apparently this product is produced in Spain and it was included in this magazine, which I believe Members of this and the other House received free. Given that has happened, either the magazine is at fault or we are at fault in allowing our postal circulation to be used for the distribution of product.