Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is appropriate today to commemorate the war dead of the appalling battle of Gallipoli, as Senator Mooney said, and to mark the anniversary. I join him in commemorating the many thousands who died so tragically and senselessly in that battle.

In light of the calls we have been making during the week for a debate in this House on a drugs strategy, I very much welcome the announcement that the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, is to be appointed today as a Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy. I think Deputy Ó Ríordáin will do an excellent job in that role. I am really pleased that a Minister of State will be taking charge of the national drugs strategy. I know he has committed himself to reducing drug related deaths, of which there were more than 600 in Ireland in 2012. It is a serious human tragedy. In light of that appointment we might ask the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, to come to the House at the earliest opportunity to address us on his programme of work for the coming year.

I note and welcome the announcement yesterday that a company called Zalando will be establishing 200 jobs in the Dublin south inner city. The Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, was in attendance to mark the announcement. She noted that it highlights Dublin's strength as a centre for digital excellence and as a city attracting these hugely important tech jobs.

On the issue of the AIB and distressed mortgage holders, many in this House have looked for a debate. I welcome the indication yesterday that the standard variable rate at AIB will be cut. That would greatly alleviate distress for many thousands of mortgage holders but it is clear that more needs to be done. We are aware that the Government has announced it will bring forward a package of measures. Certainly, the change to the bankruptcy law is one of those measures that must be addressed by the Government as part of that package. The Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform under the very able Vice Chairman, our own colleague, Senator Hayden, played an important role yesterday in keeping the pressure on AIB to ensure rates would be cut. We need to have a debate on the issue with the relevant Minister in attendance to hear precisely what package of measures for distressed mortgage holders is planned by the Government.

I renew my call to the Leader for a debate on measures to prevent any future dreadful deaths of migrants seeking to enter Europe. Today the EU leaders are meeting at a summit. I hope they will be taking a creative look at measures to alleviate this problem and to address the serious issue of many thousands of migrants seeking to enter Europe and the appalling human tragedy caused by the people traffickers who are putting them to sea in boats that are not seaworthy.