Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

My colleagues, including Senator Harris, have already raised the need for a debate on the status of minorities in Ireland. I am emphasising the need for a debate on the status of children who have disappeared in our country. I cannot think of any more abject, terrible and lonely existence than that of an unaccompanied child without someone to care for them. It is unconscionable to think that such a plight is being inflicted on so many children here to the extent that is being suggested. We would be doing a good day's work if we were to have such a debate soon.

Last week, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced it would put in place a new scheme to get credit flowing to small and medium-sized businesses. I am also seeking a debate on that matter. I thought we already had such a scheme in place called NAMA. It is one thing for the Opposition to claim that NAMA will not work, but it is an entirely different matter for the Government to admit that it will not work by putting such a project in place. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to give this House an update on the proposed scheme. Why does that Department believe that such a scheme is necessary, given that many of us understood that was the main objective of NAMA?