Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday's news of the appalling massacre of more than 140 people, including in excess of 130 children, by the Taliban in Pakistan means that again today we must express horror at this appalling outrage and despicable massacre of children, and I am sure others will join me in that. The Taliban has reached a new low in its series of atrocities in other countries over some years. Other colleagues have spoken before of the Taliban's targeting of Christians. The Taliban has targeted children in education and yesterday it targeted the most vulnerable victims - children in a school. It is an appalling atrocity.

In terms of children's rights, I compliment Senator van Turnhout on the motion she tabled in the House which all colleagues have signed up to. I refer to No. 58, motion 14, which calls for adequate funding to be provided to Childline to ensure its night-time service is continued. I wish to inform colleagues, in particular Senator Mooney, that I have written to the Taoiseach enclosing a copy of the motion and explaining that the issue was raised when I was Deputy Leader in the House last Thursday. This is a good sign of the way the Seanad works and shows how Members come together on such issues.

In terms of the banking inquiry, like Senator Mooney I express my real concern at the ECB's refusal to come before the banking inquiry. I wish all of our colleagues on the banking inquiry well in their work as it commences its public hearings today. Their work is hugely important and they have worked extremely hard already in getting the ground set for public hearings. It is very disappointing that the ECB has taken this decision. I agree with Senator Mooney about that and the Government will send a strong message to the ECB on its decision. Senators may have heard the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine express in very strong terms the Government's view on the matter.

In terms of the Northern Ireland talks, I would like to see us debate the matter in the new year. The talks are continuing this week in Stormont and we all hope we will see some resolution of the outstanding issues. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, went to Belfast on Friday. I assure the House that Ministers are still engaging and the Irish Government is still very much engaged in the talks this week. It is very important that parties reach a timely resolution this week, and I know others said the same yesterday.

I ask for a debate on collective bargaining. Yesterday, the Government approved collective bargaining legislation. The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash, yesterday announced Cabinet approval to legislate for this long overdue legislation. Its aim is to provide for an improved framework for workers who seek to better their terms and conditions where an employer does not recognise a union. This is a hugely important issue for many workers across the State and for the trade union movement. A number of Supreme Court decisions have undermined collective bargaining rights in this country. In the programme for Government in 2011 it was promised that the law would be reformed, in particular to ensure it is in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights in respect of rights to collective bargaining. I ask the Leader that we might debate the matter in early course in the new year.