Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I second Senator Daly's amendment to the Order of Business on the introduction of the NAMA transparency legislation. I support the call by Senators Quinn and Ó Murchú on the introduction of the 116000 hotline number. We have been dilatory in introducing that. The European Commission provided for the introduction of that number for all European states in 2007. A great number of children, who have gone missing, many of them from State care, have then been subject to human trafficking for prostitution or pornography. It is a devastating life-changing experience for those children. We need to do everything possible to avert that happening. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs should come to the House to debate the issue.

I also support the call by Senators Leyden and Ó Murchú with regard to the protection of the flotilla going to Gaza. It was appalling that last year one of the Turkish boats was boarded by Israeli commandos and nine people were killed. While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems intractable, greater emphasis from across the globe must be brought to bear to bring about a reasonable settlement there. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling and people lack the basics. Food, water and medicine are in very short supply, and its depths of poverty are unacceptable in the modern world. We must respect the proposition that Israel's security must be protected in any negotiated settlement. However, that does not mean Israel should have a veto on ensuring the same rights and protection are afforded to the Palestinians who are living in their homeland where they have lived for millennia. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade should come to the House at an early stage to debate the issue. Ireland and the European Union should pursue a clear and distinctive policy to advance a permanent settlement in that region.