Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

WB Yeats said this is no country for old men. At present, it does not seem to be a country for young men, young women or young families either. I call on the Leader to make time available as soon as possible for a discussion on youth unemployment, as I have done previously although it has not yet happened. Youth unemployment is currently running at approximately 30% in this State and, realistically, that figure would be a lot higher if it was not for the thousands of young people who are emigrating every year.

This cannot be lumped in with a general discussion on jobs with the Minister.

It is an issue that will have huge repercussions for the future. If we do not deal with it, it will have a boomerang effect, economically, socially and politically.

The Government's jobs plan document mentions youth only twice. It is clear that we need some new ideas on the issue, so I would like the Seanad to discuss this matter as soon as possible. It is something that the EU in particular tells us it is focussed upon, but no concrete action has happened to date. Four months since the arrival of the youth action team from the European Commission we have not seen any concrete plans forthcoming. Next week in the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe we will be discussing a report on the implications of the financial crisis on the young generation. One of the report's recommendations is to ensure that youth policies are put high on the political agenda and receive adequate funding. This House should discuss this topic as soon as possible. Some 70,000 young people are currently finishing their leaving certificate exams, which is the same number who are emigrating every year, so it would be timely to discuss the situation facing them and the 30% of young people who are currently unemployed.

I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business on which Senator Ó Clochartaigh will elaborate. The amendment calls for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, to attend the House to discuss the current situation that is unfolding around the State with regard to turf cutting.