Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I imagine the Garda is investigating the matter. The point was made this morning that the issue should be publicised. It is important that it is publicised and that anyone with information should bring it forward to the Garda.

Senator Noone adverted to the conference of the European People's Party, EPP. She welcomed the thousands of delegates and the 500 journalists. I am fond of my colleagues in Fine Gael but I will pass on the kind invitation to attend the conference, although I thank her for it.

Senator Mooney commented on the pricing regime in tourism, which I have dealt with, and the issue of apprenticeships in hospitality, which is a positive idea. I imagine the Senator raised the matter during our debate yesterday morning on the reform of further education and training and the apprenticeship system. It seems sensible, particularly if recruitment is being carried out abroad, at a time when we have large numbers of people on the unemployment register, particularly young people. It seems far more sensible to offer apprenticeships here. I heard one young woman speak of her experience in the catering and hospitality industry and of becoming a general manager at the age of 24 years. There is an immense opportunity at a young age for people in the sector.

Senator Michael D'Arcy commented on the subject of wind farms. Like the Senator, I am a strong supporter of renewable energy but I agree with him about issues concerning sound and light and so on. We debated the matter in the House during Senator Kelly's Bill, which passed Second Stage. We are seeking to pursue that. I have asked before for the Minister to come to the House to deal with this issue and we can renew that request.

Senator Bradford called for a debate on the programme for Government on a similar basis to the debate carried out in the Dáil this week and it is a good idea. This week we had a focus on jobs and job creation in our debates in the Seanad but I will put it to the Leader that we might also debate the setting of priorities for the remainder of the term of office of the Government. I realise there was some negative feedback on the debate but it is important that any government would take stock half way through or three years into government to consider the priorities to be set for the next two years.

Senator Mulcahy supported Senator O'Keeffe on the issue of domestic violence. He sought for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the Seanad to debate the proposals for reform from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I will ask the Leader whether we might have that debate. It will be useful to have the report from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and that we have concrete proposals before us which we can then feed into the legislation which the Minister is preparing on the issue.

Senator Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on the Commission for Energy Regulation. I will certainly ask for that. He also asked for the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House. She has been in the House many times and I imagine she would be willing to come in again. A wide-ranging debate was sought on social protection payments.

Senator Mullins welcomed the EPP to Dublin. He referred to 16 Heads of Government and the boost that the conference will provide to Dublin's economy. He referred to the hospitality industry and to Senator Brennan's comments about flood damage. We can seek to have the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, back in the House in due course to update us on the long-term issues arising from the flood damage. We are all aware that there are places like south Galway where people are still suffering the immediate effects of flood damage, but other long-term issues arise from the restoration and repair works and I will ask for a debate on that for after the St. Patrick's Day break.