Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

To return to a theme that dominated yesterday's Order of Business, namely, the revelations about Anglo Irish Bank, the debate has moved on nationally and now relates to the sort of inquiry that should be held into the collapse of the banks and the circumstances surrounding the September 2008 bank guarantee. I reiterate the point that I made yesterday - for most people and all Senators, the key concern is that we see an expedited criminal investigation, particularly upon listening to the tapes as they become available.

I welcome the imminent announcement of the redress scheme for the survivors of the Magdalen institutions, which I understand the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is to announce later today on foot of Mr. Justice John Quirke's report. However, there has been a further development in the form of the Irish Human Rights Commission's publication this month of its follow-on report into the Magdalen laundries. It is worthwhile reading as a follow-on from former Senator McAleese's report. Unlike his report, the commission's focus is on the breaches of human rights standards that prevailed in the Magdalen institutions as regards the women and girls incarcerated therein. The commission's report is a timely publication, as it coincides with the welcome redress scheme. I urge members to read the report.

The constitutional convention is due to report its recommendations on marriage equality to the Government. By an overwhelming majority, the convention voted in favour of marriage equality. Once the Government makes a response to the report, I hope that this House will be able to debate it.

In this context, I hope that we will debate an Amnesty report that was published yesterday. In considering the criminalisation of homosexuality in certain countries, it makes the point that it is dangerous to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, LGBT, in many states. We must bear in mind the conditions in which these people live. Last week, I mentioned the serious situation in Russia, where a recently passed law institutionalised homophobia.