Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----and it was disappointing that the referendum did not pass.

As "equality" is now the buzzword and most politicians were willing to wear Yes Equality badges, although some were a little shy, we need to examine other equality issues in the State. I refer to the economic and social inequality and the growing disparity between those who have and those who have not. We also need to consider the issue of child poverty, which was debated in the media yesterday. It is an ongoing debate. This issue affects children in all spheres of life. In a number of days, 10,000 lone parents in Galway will have their benefits cut because of changes being introduced to their social welfare payments. It was pointed out at the inaugural ISPCC lecture that 1,000 children live in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation in Dublin, which is unacceptable, while more than 1,400 children are in direct provision centres. They are certainly not equal in the eyes of the State. It would be appropriate for us in light of the concerns raised by HIQA yesterday and by other Members to have a debate on the report of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions on the issue of direct provision, which has cross-party support. It is a comprehensive report with comprehensive proposals, which I am sure Senator Norris will welcome when we have the debate.