Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to let colleagues know that next Tuesday we will be launching the Vótáil 100 programme of events here in Leinster House. That is the programme of events to commemorate the centenary of women's suffrage in Ireland. This year, 2018, marks the 100th year since women achieved the right to vote in 1918. I wish to thank the Cathaoirleach, the Ceann Comhairle and members of our steering committee for all the great work that has been done in producing great publicity materials and putting together a programme of events around women's suffrage.

I would particularly like to thank the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, for allowing the use of the Seanad Chamber for a series of events. I know that the Leader is well aware that we will be holding the final of a transition year debate in this House on 17 April. That is just one of many events. I thank Senators McFadden and Higgins in particular for all their work on the committee. We will be launching the programme next Tuesday at lunchtime. All Oireachtas Members will receive information about the events and one of our special commemorative badges marking the centenary of this important commemoration.

I wish to commend the leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Micheál Martin, for his speech in the Dáil last week on the report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, and to say just how impressive I thought the debate in this House on Wednesday evening was. It was extremely respectful and dignified, and there were so many contributions from so many. The Labour Party has always had a consistent record on seeking repeal of the eighth amendment. It is really positive to see the leader of Fianna Fáil coming out with similar words last week. It is time for the Taoiseach to say where he stands on this issue and to show leadership. I very much hope that he will endorse the excellent recommendations of the committee so ably chaired by our colleague, Senator Catherine Noone, and that he will also support the repeal of the eighth amendment in the way that Deputy Martin has done.

I call for a debate on housing, as others have done. While it is welcome to see the Government announcing further initiatives to ensure greater access to affordable housing, there is a fundamental problem of lack of supply. I am very glad to see Bob Jordan, the former Threshold chief executive, being appointed national director of the Housing First summit. That is very positive. However, I think Patricia King of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, has it right when she says that there is still a lack of urgency and coherence about the initiatives the Government is announcing on housing, and in particular a lack of coherent response to the problem of supply. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, the Labour Party housing spokesperson, has called for the 700 sites across the country in public ownership to be put to use in the provision of housing as a matter of urgency. There is no issue around ownership. Those sites are already publicly owned. That is the very minimum that should be done as a starting point.

Finally, I wish to echo the words of Senator Higgins on the recent visit to Ireland of Vice President Pence of the United States.I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to go somewhat further than we have done to date and for Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine in light of the comments by Vice President Pence that the US Embassy would be relocating to Jerusalem by the end of 2019. We have already seen nine European Union member states give formal recognition to the state of Palestine. Ireland should also do so. I know the Minister, Deputy Coveney, will be in this House next week and I will be making that point to him at that time.