Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the saying goes, "We are damned if we do and damned if we don't".

Like others, I wish to pay tribute to Jimmy Walsh. I have only come to know Jimmy since I was elected to the House and I must say that he is not just a friendly face, but also a fount of information. I recall on one occasion making a statement on the Order of Business about a particular historical date. Jimmy met me in the corridor outside the Chamber and told me that I had got the sentiment right but the date wrong. Not only does he possess a knowledge of this House and its workings, he also has an intimate knowledge of international history. He is indeed a wonderful man. As I listened to the tributes paid to Jimmy yesterday and to his own reminiscences about his time as a correspondent here, I was struck by the thought that there is a book in this. It is not necessarily a seat in the Chamber he needs but an office somewhere in Leinster House in order that he might write that book. My one concern is that once Jimmy Walsh has left us, this House will not even get the coverage it has been receiving. It behoves all the national newspapers in this country to come to terms with the inadequacy of their coverage of the Seanad.

I agree, yet again, with Senator MacSharry that a debate will be required on the personal insolvency provisions when they are introduced. The entire process relating to personal insolvency has been shrouded in mystery. I meet individuals on a daily basis who do not know either what is happening or what will or will not be covered. People are deeply distressed and they need certainty. I am not comforted by the attitude of the banks towards the mortgage arrears resolution strategy, MARS, process, particularly as there is no transparency and no real certainty with regard to who can avail of the relevant measures and what are those measures. The banks have stated that this matter will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. In my opinion, the latter implies a lack of transparency and will mean that no one will know where they stand.

The other issue I wish to raise also relates to the personal insolvency legislation. I refer to the purported comments of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. I do not agree with other Senators that this is about child care. It is, rather, about the position of women in society. I note it was not stated that men should give up their jobs and stay at home if the cost of child care exceeded their incomes. I am aware, like many other women, that if one leaves the workforce at a particular time, not only are one's career opportunities reduced but also one's pension options and financial benefits are severely impacted upon. I wish, therefore, to call for a wide-ranging debate on the position of women in Irish society and I request that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, be invited to come before the House for it.