Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik mentioned the Low Pay Commission which must make decisions shortly, on 12 January, I think. We keep hearing calls to make sure the minimum wage is maintained or increased. There is a definite link between the minimum wage and unemployment. We have the second highest minimum wage in Europe but we ended up with a very high unemployment rate, particularly among young people. Let us not automatically assume that the Low Pay Commission’s decision on minimum wage will seek to reduce the minimum wage. If that means fewer jobs it is not healthy. It is not the right way to go.

We should also in the new year debate young people’s access to pornography on the Internet. There must be some way of protecting children, particularly teenagers or younger children from the amount of pornographic material coming through. There are ways to do it. While I do not know the technique for doing this but I understand that in one method parents could identify every message their children receive on mobile phones or on the Internet. It seems worthy of consideration because it is a frightening thought. I do not have experience of this but I understand that some of the pornographic material on these sites is very dangerous. We as a nation should be able to protect ourselves.

To add to Senator Bradford’s point, the people last year voted to maintain the Seanad. It will be the focus of attention in the coming days. Let us make sure that our decisions are worthy of the decision of the people last year whose vote said they want an independent second House. Let us not be browbeaten or bullied into making decisions we do not want to make.