Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik raised the purple flag initiative and also complimented Dublin City Council on its recent initiative, which it is hoped will bear fruit next year during The Gathering. It is also hoped The Gathering will be a successful event not alone in Dublin but countrywide.

Senator Hayden called for a debate on the need for an independent appeals process in respect of social protection issues, as proposed by the Free Legal Advice Centres. The Minister, Deputy Burton, was in the House last week for a debate on social welfare issues. We will shortly resume that debate, at which time the Senator could make her point.

I can assure Senator Norris that there is no slipping of standards or lack of emphasis on human rights in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Senator also raised budgetary matters. Members have had ample opportunity, and will have further opportunities, to raise budgetary matters with various Ministers.

Senator O'Neill called for a review of prison sentencing in terms of consistency and ensuring punishment fits the crime. A number of Members also called for such a debate last week. I will request the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into the House to discuss the matter which is of concern to many people, not alone in urban Ireland, but in rural Ireland.

Senator MacSharry spoke about the FAI and the ¤100,000 prize fund. There was a time when no prize fund was available within the FAI. The provision was only recently introduced. I agree with Senator Gilroy and other Members that we should discuss this issue by way of a debate on sports funding rather than on the FAI. As someone involved in administration of the FAI at schoolboy and youth levels for many years, I believe we should not confine the debate to soccer but should focus on funding of sports in all areas.