Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

I join her in calling for that debate to be put on the agenda some day soon so we can air our views. On the day of the debate, perhaps some of our male colleagues will join us and not leave it to the female Members. When the issue is put to the parties and when we seek candidate quotas, as suggested in the report, some, but not all, of the men will say they cannot find the women and do not know where they are. I ask that the male Senators join in the debate.

The budget is approaching and it is very important that we debate certain issues prior to it. It is very important to note the effect the budget will have on employers. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced this week the extension of the employment subsidy scheme. We should consider this prior to the budget and determine how it could help keep people in employment. Perhaps we could discuss this prior to the budget.

I heard the calls for a debate on mental health and ask that it be allowed. In this regard, we need to consider the phenomenon of general practitioners giving medication to people with mental health issues. Their doing so is not appropriate and this needs to be dealt with in the debate.