Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I endorse Senator Marc MacSharry's comments. The issue to be dealt with is the upcoming budget and four-year plan. Senator Donohoe asked us not to blame others. Last week I raised the issue of the scarcity of energy resources across Europe by 2015. Ireland has a significant opportunity to provide wind and wave energy, yet this point was not reported in the media, not even on "Oireachtas Report". It is very important that the media help us to spread the message that Ireland is not a basket case, that it has a lot of potential. The four-year plan will show our potential to be a leader in the provision of cheap and environmentally friendly energy supplies from sustainable resources.

I ask for a debate next week, if possible, on another matter. I refer to a report of the Rape Crisis Centre which states 50% of those who report cases of abuse have been assaulted at home or by a person known to them. While there have been many sad reports on institutional abuse, it is important that we also address the issue of abuse other than in institutions. We must encourage people to come forward to avail of services which I note are integrated and co-ordinated North and South. This co-ordination was underscored by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and by the Minister for Justice for Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford, MLA, when he appeared before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement last Thursday.

I call for a debate on domestic violence. It is one thing to have economic pressures exerted from the outside but another to be subjected to forms of violence within the home, including financial and economic violence. It is a worthy topic to put on our agenda for next week.