Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am rather uncomfortable about the apparent obsession with women's reproductive capacity that is displayed by some Members of this House. I note that Senators on the other side have expressed their support for Senator Mullen's legislation. While I do not imagine I will support it, I look forward to seeing Members on the Government side crossing the floor — one needs to put one's money where one's mouth is — to support the Bill when Senator Mullen introduces it.

I would like to ask the Leader for a debate on a far more pressing matter, which has been mentioned by Senators Fitzgerald and Norris today and which I raised yesterday. I refer to the need to allow female genital mutilation to be used as a ground when people from other countries are applying to be granted leave to remain here, which has arisen in the context of the case of Ms Pamela Izevbekhai. All of us should be concerned that her deportation would have been allowed under Irish law, as interpreted by the High Court, if it had not been for the welcome intervention of the European Court of Human Rights. I wrote to the Minister yesterday to ask him to give Ms Izevbekhai and her daughters leave to remain here on humanitarian grounds. I hope other colleagues on both sides of the House will put similar pressure on the Minister. That is very important.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the implications of the budget cuts on people with disabilities. I note that Senator Ross has tabled an Adjournment debate matter concerning the Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College. I share his concern about the apparent ending of the Higher Education Authority's core funding for the centre. Having worked with the centre, I am familiar with the important work it does.