Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the concerns about data expressed by Senator Seery Kearney. We had that discussion during the Brexit debate yesterday. It is also worth reflecting on the important testimony given today by Senator Craughwell. I agree with the concerns he expressed.

I will raise two issues on which I have sought debates a number of times. The first is the recent Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report. I focused last week on the issue of air quality. Senators will have seen last night that RTÉ highlighted the urgency of introducing a clean air Act. We need an urgent debate on that issue. The second issue, on which the Leas-Chathaoirleach has also sought a debate, is the question of Poland and Hungary, particularly their treatment of minorities. I will not comment on events in Brussels over the weekend but it goes to show that some of the individuals who are oppressing LGBT minorities have a lot to answer for. There is also a question around the position of Fine Gael continuing to allow Fidesz to remain as a member of the European People's Party.

I seek a debate on the report this morning from the Central Statistics Office showing unemployment levels rising and a youth jobless rate of 47%. It is understandable in a pandemic that this would happen but the concern is that if youth unemployment becomes a long-term challenge, we will risk alienating large groups of young people if we do not address it. The Government has invested significantly, and rightly, in education and training. We need a debate on youth unemployment, the supports available to young people and how young people are coping with this pandemic. A rate of youth unemployment of 47% is not sustainable in the long term and reducing it must be a priority.