Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Senator might circulate the wording by e-mail and the group leaders could then check to ensure their members sign up to it.

Senator David Norris raised the issue of the brutal interrogation techniques used by the CIA, as revealed by Senator Diane Feinstein in her report for the Senate Intelligence Committee. I am sure we all commend the Senator for her painstaking work in what was a rigorous examination. Like others, I read the details and reports on it with great interest and real horror in the context of the practices carried out which were so graphically described by Senator David Norris with his customary elegance. In that context, he has been raising the issue of rendition flights for some time and I support his call for a debate on the matter. We might, perhaps, debate Senator Feinstein's report in the new year. I also suggest to the Senator who is a member of the foreign affairs committee that this would be an appropriate topic on which that committee could conduct an investigation.

Senator Aideen Hayden supported Senator Jillian van Turnhout on the Childline issue and also called for a debate on rent regulation in the light of the PRTB rental index report published toda which notes a 10% increase in rents in the Dublin area. I will seek a debate on the issue of rent regulation, which would be an important debate to have and which was also sought by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell. I will seek to have the Minister come to the House as soon as possible.

Senator Aideen Hayden also welcomed the announcements made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, on homelessness, in particular the 20 actions on homelessness identified and the sum of €20 million plus which was signed off on this week by the Cabinet. Other Senators asked about expenditure on homelessness measures. In this regard, it is important to point out that the Cabinet approved a sum of €20 million plus this week which will be spent on, among other things, the immediate provision of 260 additional emergency beds for persons sleeping rough in Dublin and a night café. This is welcome. It is a hugely important innovation designed to provide a contact point for homeless persons who do not want to be placed in emergency accommodation or for whom such accommodation is not suitable. The night café will provide them with a point of contact and access to meals, showers and so on.

Senator Mary White also supported the call made by Senator Aideen Hayden for a debate on rents and pointed to the connections between the revelations this week about Áras Attracta and the abuse of detainees, the link being the abuse of power. I agree with Senator Mary White in that regard. I, too, have raised the issue in the context of the detention of persons in prisons. Thankfully, there have been some improvements in prison conditions in Ireland. However, as shown in the case of Áras Attracta, the appalling treatment of persons in institutions of confinement continues.

Senator John Kelly spoke about the protests which took place yesterday. Like him, I, too, compliment and commend all those who came out to engage in peaceful protest. The atmosphere on Merrion Square appeared to be festival-like and was referred to as uplifting. As acknowledged by the Right2Water organisers, small breakaway groups did engage in unfortunate and intimidatory tactics. While I did not witness this, I had visitors who told me they had been intimidated. Senator John Kelly pointed that anyone who found himself or herself on O'Connell Street yesterday had felt this too, which was unfortunate. It certainly did no service to the 30,000 who engaged in peaceful protest. We all wish well the garda who was injured amid the small breakaway protest.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell congratulated Senator Jillian van Turnhout in having the Áras Attracta issue debated by the Joint Committee on Health and Children. I will not comment on her remarks about the education committee, of which I am not a member.