Ivana Bacik (Independent)

It is interesting to note that American companies such as Intel, the chambers of commerce and IBEC have all called for a "Yes" vote in the treaty next week.

Senator Mary White also called for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to come to the House for a debate on jobs in the computer industry. We can facilitate such a debate but not today. The Government has done a lot in terms of reactivation measures to ensure upskilling of the type mentioned by the Senator. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, in conjunction with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, is restructuring FÁS and unemployment services to ensure more one-to-one connections will be made with those signing on. An increased number of places has been announced for the Springboard programme. We have had JobBridge and the action plan for jobs. A great number of measures are being taken to ensure reactivation and upskilling.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames addressed some of the progress made to address the gap in skills. I agree with her about the gap in information technology skills. The Senator also called for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, to make a statement on the lack of prosecutions. I have a lot of sympathy for the sentiments she has expressed. We all have heard it on the doorsteps many times. People are very angry that none of the bankers, none of those who caused the economy to collapse, has yet been prosecuted. However, it is not a matter on which the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, can make a direct statement. We have an independent Director of Public Prosecutions, which is absolutely right and proper. We also have an independent Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Like all others present, I deplore the delays in arresting and prosecuting individuals. I am on record in this House calling for the use the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, under which there are a number of more straightforward offences that might well be relevant. I understand there is great complexity in investigating and prosecuting corporate crimes.