Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

10:30 am

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent)

That is a fair point. It shows a lot of problems with the way in which the campaign was run. It also confirms the need to reiterate a call I made previously on the Leader for a debate on women's representation in politics. That is an important point and it was shown up by the treaty result.

Will the Leader consider an amendment to the Order of Business to allow us to take the motion on Thornton Hall with debate? As my colleague, Senator O'Toole, has said, this is a very important issue on which this and the other House is being asked to sit as a sort of planning authority to make a decision as to whether this enormous super-prison structure will go ahead. It is very important for us to have such a debate in this House. We have had some debate before and I have certainly spoken about the matter here and in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. However, other colleagues should have the opportunity to speak on the matter. A guillotined debate took place in the other House last night. It would be a travesty to ask us to pass the motion without debate given its importance not only for the local community but also for our criminal justice policy generally. I call for an amendment to the Order of Business to enable us to debate the matter today.

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