Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the announcement of the Bill relating to Seanad reform, but it is only a small step. When the Taoiseach was in this House, he said there would be a meeting with leaders on reform, but I have not heard of any date for that meeting. Will the Leader advise us on whether a date has been set for that meeting? The people voted and gave us a mandate and we now need to see reform. We need to see all Senators involved in that debate.

I wish to raise again the issue of the Bill to deal with smoking in cars with children. I am not happy with the answers we have received on this. I do not believe there is an any real block, other than the lack of political will to move forward on the Bill. Senators Crown, Daly and I have put considerable effort into a Bill. Will the Leader advise us when the Minister for Health will be able to bring to us the amendments he would like to see?

In regard to youth unemployment, Senator Bacik mentioned the debate on the youth guarantee. We have yet to receive a date for that debate, although the time is fast approaching for Ireland to submit its plan to the European Union. One of the small concessions we won in the Seanad when we debated the Social Welfare Bill was that we would have this debate on the youth guarantee. Will the Leader advise us whether the Minister, Deputy Burton, has given us a date for that debate? Many of the organisations involved, who are in contact with various Senators, await that debate so that we can give voice to and articulate their views in regard to the proposals to be put forward to the European Union in Ireland's name.