Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Daly spoke first about the poll that was carried out and that was reported on by "Prime Time" on RTE last night. Unfortunately I did not see it, but I did hear the findings of the poll, which are most interesting. It is especially interesting to hear the views on the unification of Ireland and whether people wish to see it in the short to medium term or in the long term. I would be very happy to accede to Senator Daly's request to have a debate on the issue of unification. That is the debate he sought. I take his point on the pliability of statistics. One has to be careful. For example, it would be wrong to say, just because of statistics produced by the UN Human Development Index on quality of life North and South, that people would be better off in one jurisdiction or another. I would be very careful about that. As the Senator would be well aware, there are far more complex issues going on. In respect of the political situation in Northern Ireland more generally, which was raised by a number of people, talks are continuing in a constructive atmosphere to try to resolve the issues around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism.The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, is representing the Government at the talks and has been co-chairing talks in Belfast since September. He and the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, have been very engaged on the issue. Those pressing matters are being dealt with. I like the idea of the debate the Senator mentioned and I will be happy to request it.

Senator Mullins also spoke on the "Prime Time" debate and welcomed the signing of the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence. I endorse the Senator's welcome, also expressed by Senator O'Keeffe. It is an important milestone in ensuring we have adequate protections for victims of domestic violence. People would give a general welcome to it. Senator Mullins also raised the Irish Rail dispute and the talks ongoing at the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC. We would all join the Senator in hoping efforts to find a resolution may be redoubled. There has been significant engagement in recent weeks through the WRC to resolve the issue. Everyone will hope the strike will not have to go ahead tomorrow. Senator Mullins also raised the regional plan for jobs. Earlier this week, I welcomed the fall in unemployment to 9.3% which the Senator mentioned and I also said it is still to high. I support the Senator's call for a debate on the regional action plan for jobs in particular.

Senator Barrett raised the issue of his mortgage Bill, which was debated in Private Members' time last night. I join with Senator Hayden in congratulating the Senator on the Bill and the excellent debate, which showed the engagement of Senators with the need to think constructively about how to fix the current dysfunctional construction situation. I agree with the Senator that the debate should continue and offer my personal support.

Senator Hayden raised the matter at last night's Labour Party parliamentary party meeting. Senator Hayden spoke on the Bill and offered her personal support, and spoke on the ESRI report and the impact of a Brexit. While she was first to mention Brexit, others subsequently raised it. The Senator pointed out that it is a very important issue for Ireland, given that the report stated the potential for lost trade for Ireland from a Brexit would be €3 billion per year. The Senator and others are correct that the significance it would have for Ireland has been underestimated, and I support her call for a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs.

Senator MacSharry raised the issue of fracking and brought to our attention the demonstration and briefing in the audiovisual room. No licences have been issued in respect of fracking. I note the Senator's comments and also comments to the contrary by Senators Quinn and Bradford. It shows the need for a debate and I support the call for a debate on the matter.

Senator O'Keeffe supported Senator Hayden's call for a debate on the Brexit and welcomed the Istanbul Convention and pointed out that we await the domestic violence Bill and victims of crime Bill. During the past week, we have had pre-legislative scrutiny of the criminal justice (victims of crime) Bill in the justice committee. It is progressing. Senator O'Keeffe also called for a debate on the exploitation of migrant workers in the fishing industry, revelations about which were reported in The Guardianearlier this week. Senator O'Keeffe, other Senators and I have already raised the issue on the Order of Business and called for a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney. I support the Senator's call. The Minister might come here to update us on the task force he has established, which is very welcome, to investigate allegations of exploitation. Senator O'Keeffe also raised the role of BIM, and this would also be a matter for the Minister to address.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on homicide law generally. As the Senator knows, it is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, to direct which charge will be brought, be it murder, manslaughter or another charge, in individual cases. The bar for proving murder is significantly higher than for proving manslaughter, given that murder requires an intent to kill or cause serious injury. I agree that it would be a useful and very timely debate to have. The Law Reform Commission has reported on it in the past, not just on the demarcation between murder and manslaughter but also on the mandatory sentence for murder. I have spoken on the need to change it from a mandatory sentence in order to offer judges more discretion to reflect the reality of the scale of severity between murder and manslaughter. Some cases of manslaughter, as judges will say, are much closer to murder and some are very far from murder. I will call for the debate. Senator Quinn noted that a debate on fracking would be worthwhile, given the difference of views even in this Chamber that have been expressed this morning.

Senator Brennan raised the consultation being engaged in by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, with sports stakeholders and the very welcome development of the sports policy framework. The Senator also noted the strong performance by Irish tourism and congratulated a number of bodies, namely, Loop Head tourism, Cnoc Suain in Galway and Connemara Wild Escapes. We will all want to join him in congratulating those organisations on their great achievements in the Irish Responsible Tourism Awards and to note the positive performance and momentum in the tourism sector.

Senator Cullinane asked for a debate on technological universities. The Senator has put down Commencement matters in respect of the university in the south east and we can call for a debate. I am sure the Senator will put down Commencement matters specifically relating to the south east in the future. The Minister for Education and Skills will be here next week to debate a Labour Party Private Members' Bill and we can raise it with her.

Senator Kelly called for a debate on the crisis in rural GP practices. This might be a matter best placed as a Commencement matter for the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, given that a review of the issue is under way. Senator Mooney raised the cervical cancer vaccine. Given that Senator Cummins gave a full response on the issue during yesterday's Order of Business, I will not repeat it.