Dan Boyle (Green Party)

As we are beginning to order business for after the Easter recess there are three items I wish to bring to the Leader's attention that may be worthy of debate in this House.

There should be a detailed debate on the private rented housing sector on foot of the "Prime Time" programme last night. The State is the largest tenant in the country and spends more on rents through the rent allowance and rental subsidy schemes than any other group of tenants. We must ask why such money is being paid out for substandard accommodation and why it is being paid to the private rented sector in this way.

The next issue I wish to raise relates to recording events as they occur in Tibet, possibly through an all-party motion. The Chinese Government is engaging in oppression and is blaming these events on the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama. Some 18 months ago Senator Norris and I attended the world parliamentarian congress on Tibet and met the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile. The Seanad should speak widely on an issue of concern of this nature as it would reflect the disquiet in Ireland that exists regarding events in Tibet.