Ivana Bacik (Independent)

However, a more effective debate might focus on specific aspects of the programme such as education. I would be happy for us to have an early debate on that topic, as well as the environment and the charges Senator O'Brien mentioned. Most pressingly, we need to have a debate on the economy. Yesterday, for example, some Senators sought a debate on NAMA, while I sought a debate on white collar crime, particularly in the absence of any prosecutions arising from the banking scandal. The need for a debate on the economy has been thrown into focus today by the report from FLAC, Free Legal Advice Centres, which reveals the alarming figure that the number of debt queries rose by 400% last year. In 2010 FLAC dealt with 11,000 queries, a large number of which were from persons who were very concerned about their levels of debt. That is happening as a direct consequence of the false boom for so many years which was presided over by the previous Government. A debate on the economy could tackle issues around banking, the concerns raised by FLAC and the serious challenge posed by unemployment.

I support the calls made for a debate on children's rights. I am delighted that we will have such a discussion next week when the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will attend the House. That debate needs to tackle a number of items, including the report of the Ombudsman for Children and criminal justice matters. As the Ombudsman said in her report, children are still being detained in St. Patrick's Institution, which is a source of great public shame and scandal. I am glad to see that the programme for Government contains a commitment to close that institution, for which I am sure there will be cross-party support. However, we need to keep the pressure on the Government to ensure it will be closed as a matter of urgency and that children will no longer be detained in inhumane conditions.