Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Clune referred to the childhood obesity campaign and called for a debate on the issue. Such a debate certainly would be worth having. Senator Catherine Noone raised the same issue and suggested it might be a matter for the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. I agree that it would be a useful follow-up to the previous debate and the report we produced on lifestyle and cancer issues.

Senator Barrett made several timely points regarding opinion polls and how wrong they can be in the context of referendum campaigns. There is clearly a good deal of work to be done in terms of determining what changed in the week between the final opinion polls and the holding of the referendum to abolish the Seanad, or whether the opinion polls themselves were flawed. This House has a proud tradition of spotting flaws in legislation on opinion polls and stopping that legislation from going forward. On the issue of spoiling ballot papers, while people writing in newspapers can advocate anything they like, I agree with the Senator regarding the importance of educating people as to what can count as a spoilt vote and that anything written on a ballot paper may jeopardise the counting of that paper.

I join Senator Moloney in welcoming the ruling on the referendum on children's rights. The Senator also asked that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, be invited to the House for a debate on water charges. The Minister will be here this afternoon for statements on The One Percent Difference campaign, but we can certainly seek to arrange a debate on water charges in the future.

Senator Leyden proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 13 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to agree to that proposal.