Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Gerard P. Craughwell's call for a debate on bullying in the workforce.We are all hearing of more and more instances of serious bullying in the workplace with people's health being severely impacted. We must see if the legislation in this area is robust enough. A debate in the House would be appropriate.

I thank Senator Barrett for his birthday wishes. It is only right and proper to reflect on this day on the very significant progress which has been made by the Government since coming into office four years ago. The bailout has been ended and 90,000 jobs have been created. We are on track to reduce the budget deficit to below 3% of GDP this year. Generally, all areas of the economy are beginning to see a significant improvement. The plan to create 40,000 jobs during the coming year is very much to be welcomed. As previous Senators have said, there is an area that still to be seriously addressed, that of mortgage arrears. I support my colleagues who have spoken on this issue previously and again today. I welcome the recent statements by both the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Taoiseach on the need to redouble efforts to bring about a significant improvement in this area so that we do not see any further repossessions of houses but rather arrangements whereby people can remain in their homes while making a contribution towards the debts they owe. I would welcome a debate in the House in the next session on the progress being made in this area.

I share the concerns expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, on the difficulties arising in respect of the Stormont House Agreement. I urge Sinn Féin and the DUP to come together to ensure they can address the problems that have arisen in regard to the Social Welfare Bill. There is too much at stake in the context of the peace process. It is most unfortunate that an agreement that appears to have been reached a few short weeks ago is now crumbling. I remind our Sinn Féin colleagues that they are playing senior hurling now and the issue must be resolved if they are to aspire to being in government in both the North and the South of Ireland. They must realise that when serious decisions are made and agreements are put in place, they must be stood over. They have to have the strength to honour their commitments.