Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I also welcome the release of Fr. Michael Sinnott. It is nice to have good news coming so soon after the release of Sharon Commins.

Like Senator Fitzgerald, I express the concern on the Labour Party Bench about the enormous risk that NAMA poses. We had fundamental disagreements with the NAMA legislation, which is why we voted against it. At the same time, as Senator O'Toole said, we all hope for everyone's sake that it will work. In that context, I am glad the Minister for Finance expressed support for the Labour Party's proposal of a credit mediator, an independent ombudsman, to intervene in cases where viable businesses are refused credit by the banks.

Now that the challenge of the NAMA legislation is out of the way, will the Leader have a debate on the greatest challenge facing us all - that of climate change? It is vital that the Seanad debate this topic before the December summit in Copenhagen that will be so critical for the planet's future. The Government promised a Bill on climate change - I note the Deputy Leader is nodding - and I have also introduced a similar Bill to the House. Will we have a debate on my Bill or the Government's in advance of the Copenhagen talks?

I also call for a debate on mental health. Yesterday we had an excellent seminar in the AV room with Shine and BodyWhys. I will be hosting a seminar next Wednesday at the same venue with a talk by Professor Harry Kennedy, Central Mental Hospital, on mental health in prisons. I ask all colleagues to attend.

Will the Leader have a debate on the conduct of debates in the House? Since I was elected two years ago, I have been impressed by the civility of the debating style across the Chamber, the fact that we do all have strong disagreements with each other but that we express our views with respect for others. I hope I have always been respectful in my debates. Unfortunately, yesterday, however, I think there was a lowering of standards in the House with a very personalised attack on me by a Member on the opposite side.