Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am happy to facilitate such a debate, particularly if it can be focused as the Senator is suggesting. I will raise it with the Leader.

Senator Paul Coghlan commended the students of Davis College in Mallow on all the work they have done in publicising their Forget Me Not campaign in respect of missing persons. A presentation was made by the students at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on 28 March. Just this morning the committee launched a report on missing persons and what the State response should be. I will ask the Leader for a debate on that report, which should include an invitation to the Davis College students to attend in the Gallery. They were present this morning in the audio-visual room for the launch of our report. They have done tremendous work in putting forward sensible and practical ideas in regard to tracing missing persons, including a proposal for a national day for missing persons. The committee has adopted their recommendation in this regard and put it forward to the Minister for Justice and Equality for consideration. I hope to see it adopted in early course.

Senators Denis O'Donovan and Marie Moloney referred to the issue of chariot racing in Mallow. I agree that any danger for road users arising from this activity must be condemned. I am not sure how we can progress that through the House, perhaps through an Adjournment debate which would allow the Minister for Justice and Equality to give his view. It is quite a specific issue in terms of legislative responses. As such, there is a question as to how best we can address it.

We would all join Senator Susan O'Keeffe in welcoming the launch of InterTradeIreland's seedcorn competition. It would be useful to organise a briefing session on that.

Senator David Cullinane referred to next year's centenary of the 1913 lockout. It would be timely to mark that event in the context of a debate on the protection of employment rights. However, I concur with Senator Paul Bradford that the most important right for workers is the right to a job. The Government is seeking, in all of its policies, to focus on strategies for job creation and growth in the economy.

I join Senator Terry Brennan in welcoming the announcement of funding allocations from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Senator Paul Bradford joined others in calling for a debate on attitudes to alcohol in our society.

Senator Feargal Quinn could not remain in the Chamber for this response because, as he informed me, he will be attending this morning's debate in the Dáil. He is very much to be commended on his Construction Contracts Bill, which was introduced in this House as a Private Members' Bill and is now on Second Stage in the Lower House. I concur with the Senator's comments regarding the benefits for job creation arising from the Springboard programme.

Senator Terry Leyden called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the House for a debate on the Palestinian political prisoners being held in Israel. I entirely concur with his comments regarding the very dangerous situation that has arisen in terms of prisoners going on hunger strike and will be pleased to facilitate such a debate. The Senator might consult his colleague, Senator Paschal Mooney, who sought a debate on a similar issue yesterday.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill supported the call for a debate on mental health and suicide. We can arrange to hold such a debate, but we might frame it somewhat differently in order to focus on the funding issue. In that context, Senator Diarmuid Wilson suggested we might table an all-party motion on mental health funding.