Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Like Senator O'Brien, I commend the Leader on the plan for a full debate on 14 March on the EU fiscal compact treaty. I agree with the Senator that it would be useful for us, as group leaders, to ascertain in advance the number of speakers who wish to contribute and, if necessary, the timing can be tweaked. It will be a useful debate.

On the mortgage arrears issue, the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, of which I and other Senators are members, finished conducting public hearings on the heads of the personal insolvency Bill. Those hearings were very instructive in terms of recommendations as to how to improve the Bill, to offer greater protection for those struggling with mortgage arrears. Tomorrow the joint committee will discuss a draft report which will be finalised next week. It would be useful for us then to debate the report, and to have the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes attend the House as the appropriate Minister in the context of the findings of the joint committee. We had the benefit of hearing from a wide range of groups and organisations, such as the Free Legal Advice Service centres and New Beginnings, which is working on a frontline basis with people who are struggling with mortgage repayments and mortgage arrears. That would inform the debate.

I have called before for a debate on the development of links with China and other countries in order that we can benefit from expanding our trade links. Like Senator O'Brien I was delighted the visit by the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping went off well and I am sure the issue of human rights was raised with him and the delegation. The unfortunate fallout was the extreme level of security and lack of press contact. I accept some of the security was necessary but the entrance to Leinster House was blocked to staff and elected representatives while the Chinese delegation visited. Some aspects of the security arrangements were, perhaps, unnecessary and should not have been put in place for this important visit. Like Senator O'Brien I hope we will see the benefit of the visit in terms of renewed links with China and improved conditions for human rights campaigners in China.