Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on crime prevention with a specific focus on the crime of burglary. Other colleagues have talked about this previously. There have been some reports of an increase in the incidence of burglary in recent months and years even while, generally, crime rates are decreasing in a range of categories. At the justice committee yesterday we had a briefing from officials on the content of the new heads of a Bill which the Minister for Justice and Equality has published recently on burglary. In particular the Bill will seek to address issues around bail and sentencing for repeat offenders with a number of burglary convictions. As we are all aware, however, there is far more to the issue of crime prevention than simply bail and sentencing. Indeed, there is much to be done beyond the legislative framework on crime prevention, particularly around policing, better supports for victims and juvenile liaison - we know a large number of these types of offences are committed by people under 18 years of age. Will the Leader arrange a debate focusing on the broader aspects of crime prevention as well as the specific debate which we will have in due course on the burglary Bill? I call on the Leader to bring in the Minister for Justice and Equality on that matter.

I welcome the moves being taken at governmental level to legislate on collective bargaining. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Ged Nash, who has been working on the preparation of a Bill to recognise collective bargaining rights for workers, protect against victimisation for those active in unions in the workplace and deal with the issue of registered employment agreements and sectoral agreements. I welcome these moves and look forward to the legislation in due course. Will the Leader inquire about when that legislation is likely to come before the Seanad? I understand it is due to be approved shortly.

I commend our colleague Senator Norris on his participation in the debate on the marriage equality referendum in "Tonight with Vincent Browne" on TV3 last night. I thought he spoke excellent sense, if I may say so. In the same context I welcome the Law Society of Ireland announcement yesterday to the effect that it was supporting a "Yes" vote in the referendum because marriage equality is a human right. There were forthright comments from the director general of the Law Society. I note that in recent days we have also seen doctors coming out in support of marriage equality, for example, the group Doctors for Marriage Equality. All the children's rights groups working on the front line in the protection of children's rights, such as the ISPCC, Barnardos and the Children's Rights Alliance, have called for a "Yes" vote in the marriage equality referendum debate as well. Those of us who are out canvassing will take note of these developments.