Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I spoke yesterday in support of Senator O'Brien on the pyrite Bill. It is important that we do not simply rush through all Stages of the Bill in one sitting, just because it is welcomed. Indeed, it is welcomed by both sides of the House and, in principle, it is a good idea. I know the Leader has made every effort, particularly with the Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013, to ensure we have adequate time for debate, particularly on Committee and Report Stages.

I agree with the Senator that we had a very good Second Stage debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill last night. I was in the Chamber for most of it. It was very fair. I felt those on both sides of the House welcomed the job activation measures and the measures in it that will have the effect of boosting consumer confidence. We did also have a robust debate on section 7, on which amendments have been tabled. With the Finance (No. 2) Bill there are different reasons for urgency which the Leader with address. Where possible, we should seek to allow adequate time for debate on amendments. Of course, on the Finance (No. 2) Bill there are only recommendations. It is a very different type of Bill.

I welcome the fact that this weekend sees the exit from the bailout. That issue was discussed last night during the debate on the Finance Bill. It is an historic moment when we will finally see the restoration of our economic sovereignty. The good news of that should boost consumer confidence in the run up to and during the Christmas season. While we will have the opportunity for more debates on the economy in the new year, I thought it was worth mentioning that at this stage, and I know others will.

I call for a debate in the new year on the report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality on prostitution. Yesterday, further correspondence was published by the Minister and the committee, following on from the report, in which the committee recommended that the Irish law on prostitution be changed to reflect the Swedish approach, whereby only the purchase of prostitution is criminalised and not the sale. Recently, the French legislature moved to make the same change. A number of countries are looking at this model. The Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, raised some questions with the committee and the committee has responded. Those communications are now published and form a very useful addendum to the report. Colleagues will be interested in this, given that the report was initiated in this House in Private Members' business by the Independent Senators. It would be great if we could have that debate in the new year, perhaps after the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has met the Minister to discuss his correspondence.

I call for a debate in the new year on school patronage. We had that debate previously. However, there is a passionate article by Kitty Holland in today's edition of The Irish Times in which she describes the serious difficulties parents whose children are not baptised still face where schools run by religious orders or different religions have the right, in law, to refuse those children or to give priority to children of particular religions. That has not changed, despite the strenuous attempts by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to move forward a model where there is greater diversity and patronage and where parental choice is respected more adequately. I call for a debate in the new year to hear what progress has been made on this issue.