Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I know the Leader will address the issue of the insolvency Bill. I do not think there will be any difficulty about sitting longer to have that debate. I said previously that the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality report on the insolvency Bill, following two days of hearings, would be a useful topic for debate.

The Senator raised the issue of Ulster Bank. We are all concerned that the fiasco is dragging on and that the people are affected through not being able to receive payments. The Minister for Social Protection is seeking to have the issue addressed for social welfare recipients. I hope there will be a resolution before too long.

I welcome the announcement that a growth package has been agreed at EU level. We hope to see the details fleshed out in the next day or two on foot of the EU meeting in Brussels. It is hugely important that this be agreed in parallel with the stability treaty, which we have debated at length, and that a growth package be agreed to address the difficulties to ensure a return to economic recovery.

Yesterday I asked the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the remit of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland. I watched in dismay as it descended into a debate when a number of Senators expressed misapprehensions on the issue of abortion. In its research, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency has clearly addressed the constant refrain that somehow the women who have had an abortion will suffer mentally as a result. Certainly that is not borne out by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency research nor is it borne out by international research. It is not appropriate to conduct an abortion debate on billboards. I did not suggest that anyone be censored. I simply requested a debate with the Minister in order to discuss the remit of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland with which any person who has an issue with any advertising on a billboard, commercial or non-commercial, may raise a complaint with the authority which can take action as it does on commercial advertising. The right of citizens to complain is important. The remit of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland is an important issue that should be addressed. I have raised it previously in the context of social media. As it does not come within the remit of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland, its remit should be extended. I ask the Leader to arrange that debate in early course.

I wish all those taking part in the Pride parade on Saturday well. Senator Katherine Zappone mentioned yesterday the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Parade which is taking place in Dublin city this weekend. It is a huge parade and a huge festival and carnival through the streets of Dublin. I look forward to taking part. All of us will enjoy the rainbow flags that are festooning the quays in honour of Pride.