Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I join Senator Bacik in calling for the Order of Business to be amended in order that we can debate the Climate Protection Bill which has been on the Order Paper for well over 18 months. We have not seen any action from the Government. Senator Boyle's contribution was no more than words. We need a debate on the matter. I support the call for a change to the Order of Business.

I join Senator Donohoe in calling for a debate on unemployment. Today's live register figures show that an extra 5,000 people were unemployed in May. If one drills down into those figures, one will see that 2,600 of those involved, or more than 50% of the increase, are under the age of 25 years. This is a real issue because it is having an impact on people's self-confidence and self-worth. It relates to what Senator Mary White said. We should be concerned about this increase. I do not think we are providing enough retraining opportunities or places on post-leaving certificate courses. We are not doing enough to help mature students who joined courses on the understanding that they would get grants. That understanding is now being reneged on by the Government. I would like to see a debate on unemployment, especially youth unemployment, as soon as possible.