Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I meant it in respect of Senator Barrett's contribution. Senator Clune also raised the issues of Arthur's day and the 9% VAT rate. In respect of the former, she specifically asked for the Government to bring forward the alcohol action strategy, which is something with which we would all agree. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, about that. I know he has been working on it and it is important that we see the strategy come forward very quickly. It has been promised for a long time now.

Senator Leyden raised the Council of Europe report on trafficking and I absolutely agree with his view on the need for a debate on that. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has recently produced a report on prostitution. In the course of the preparation of that report, the committee heard evidence from senior gardaí about the prosecution of trafficking offences, where there is a disappointing rate of conviction. Evidence from Sweden suggests that taking a different approach to prostitution law can have an effect in reducing the incidence of trafficking because, as the Senator said, there is a very strong link between trafficking and prostitution. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has responded to the Council of Europe's group of experts on action against trafficking in human beings, pointing out that the publication of the council's report is timely, given that we are in the process of drafting a second national action plan on human trafficking. I agree with Senator Leyden that it would be useful to have the Minister in to speak with us about that report in due course.

Senator Mullins also referred to Arthur's day and expressed support for Senator Clune. He also spoke about the need for the motor industry to offer more competitive prices for repairs, given the effect that poor car maintenance can have in the context of road fatalities. I agree with that and suggest that it might be an issue to raise on the Adjournment.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the Fine Gael posters on the Seanad referendum and I would emphasise that they are not Government posters. I am very happy to write to the general secretary of Fine Gael to request that the posters be withdrawn because ---