Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree, however, with Senator White and support her call for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to come in to the House to speak on the adoption crisis. As Senator White recalls, we have long had issues with this, not just with Russia but some years ago there were delays in the conclusion of an agreement between Ireland and Vietnam. Many families who were halfway through concluding adoption agreements in Vietnam were left in a very difficult, sad and traumatic position. That matter was resolved eventually but we do need now to consider resolving the issue with the Russian-Irish adoption agreements. I very much support Senator White's call to invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, to speak to us about that.

I would like also to ask for a debate on positive action for the promotion of women in business and in public life. We have a proud history in this House. We commenced the Bill which brought in gender quotas in political parties for the next general election, the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. Senator White and others have led the way on the terms for promotion of women in business and in public life. This would be an appropriate time to have this debate given that two more women judges have just been appointed to the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy and Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne. I commend their appointment and would like to see a broad debate on that issue.

I think we all welcome the apparent resolution of the crisis in the US and of the stand-off between the Government and Legislature there because that would have been a very serious issue, with a very serious knock-on effect for international recovery generally.