Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Conway made the same point more generally with reference to bankers. As we know, trials are pending against certain individuals involved in the former Anglo Irish Bank, but I certainly agree that the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement must be facilitated with any resources necessary to ensure prosecutions are brought for the type of conduct that led to Priory Hall and so on. It should be noted, however, that the investigation and prosecution authorities of the State are independent of the Legislature. Senator Conway called for the Minister for Justice and Equality to give us an update on investigations, but I am not sure whether that would be appropriate. It would be appropriate, however, for the Minister to outline the State's machinery of enforcement and the resources provided for that purpose.

Senator Thomas Byrne referred to the Protected Disclosures Bill. The amended schedule of business for this week was circulated last Sunday, which gave adequate notice to Members. I presume the Bill simply was not ready to go to Report Stage, but I am sure we will have it in due course.

The Senator also raised issues relating to the budget. We will have plenty of time to discuss those issues in the context of the debate on the social welfare Bill and so on. We have already had some debate on the budget. There have been plenty of measures in this and previous budgets which have impacted on the higher paid, and rightly so. We are seeing some signs of confidence returning, with two years of growth and the creation of 34,000 jobs in the past 12 months.

There is no apology for focusing on job creation in this as in previous budgets.

Senator Colm Burke pointed out that the Minister for Health had attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children for three and half hours last week. He also referred to the health budget allocated to non-HSE bodies. That topic is worthy of debate.

Senator Martin Conway referred to the lack of accountability. We might have the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Chamber to speak about enforcement mechanisms.

With regard to the comments of Senator Diarmuid Wilson, I can check the commencement dates for the Further Education and Training Bill, but any delay in the commencement of the Bill should not delay the introduction of training places for young people. Funding has been put aside in the budget and there is a commitment to the youth guarantee to ensure there are sufficient further education and training places available.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe referred to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the horsemeat scandal. The Minister will attend tomorrow for a wide-ranging debate and statements on the Common Agriculture Policy. The alarming findings of the horsemeat scandal can be put to him.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the need for a debate on the situation in Syria. We will ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the House for a debate on that topic which a number of Senators have requested. The conditions in which children and civilians are living are appalling. I understand the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will attend the Chamber on Thursday morning for some of the debate on the EU Scrutiny and Transparency in Government Bill.

An amendment was proposed by Senator Marc MacSharry and seconded by Senator Thomas Byrne, but I cannot agree to it.