Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

It is with interest that I have listened to the last speaker, and I support some of his comments as regards abuses in human trafficking. On the other hand, I very much support the work of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda National Immigration Bureau on what they have done where there were blatant abuses in relation to people coming to Ireland to seek asylum. I gather applications are now being fast-tracked and the Department is now up to speed in this regard. I understand that in the past there were some blatant abuses. That is not to say Ireland has not played its role in accommodating people seeking asylum, particularly under the European refugee programme, where this country has been to the fore.

I concur with my colleague, Senator Walsh, on the need for a debate on competitiveness. Indeed, I would add job creation and support Senator Walsh's remarks as regards the importance of restoring our competitiveness and addressing the issues impinging on it such as the various labour laws and regulations which heretofore we were able to carry during the Celtic tiger area. However, at this time, perhaps, they may be causing difficulties in ensuring we are able to compete at the level we need to.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the HSE service plan, given the current crazy industrial difficulties between the frontline managers and the executive management as regards service provision and the budgetary impact of same, and the likely impact on service delivery later in the year.