Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I join Senator O'Brien in expressing concern about the rumour, and it is only a rumour at this stage, of prospective job losses at Aviva. The trickle of rumour leaves the employees in Aviva in an appalling position of uncertainty. Coming on the heels of the TalkTalk announcement, it gives rise to grave concern. We in the Labour group will have private Members' time next week when we will seek to address this issue of big companies pulling out and leaving our workers in the lurch, particularly at such short notice.

I wish to take up a point raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien on Palestinian statehood. There are no mixed messages here. What the Tánaiste is seeking to do is to change the EU position because the Irish position - the Labour Party and the Government position - has always been supportive of Palestinian demands. Senator O'Brien and his colleagues will see that the Government motion, No. 14, states that Seanad Éireann reaffirms the long-standing support of the Irish Government and people for the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is more nuanced because we are approaching such a----