Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the request of Senator Casey for a debate, not just on the 9% VAT rate but on hospitality and tourism. It is interesting that, post Covid, there has been an interest in and pent-up demand for tourism globally, which has flatlined in the middle of this year. I raised the issue of the 9% VAT rate before the budget. It is important that, as we enter a critical period for hospitality, we have that debate. I ask that the Ministers with responsibility for finance, public expenditure, tourism and enterprise, as part of a rolling debate, come to the House to help us have an informed discussion on where we go in the context of hospitality and tourism. Today we have Aer Lingus in the transport committee, as part of aviation. It is important.

I congratulate and welcome the comments this morning by the Tánaiste in the enterprise committee, where he said proof of domestic abuse should not be included in the upcoming legislation by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. That is a positive move. I hope all of Government will listen to that. The five days' paid leave for victims of domestic abuse is something we all welcome. It would be very wrong if any woman had to present proof of domestic abuse to avail of that leave.

I ask the Deputy Leader that we have a debate on the Dublin convention. Last week, ministers for justice were in Dublin and signed that convention. It is important that we have that debate as part of our pieces of legislation to improve and enhance the lives of all citizens, particularly women, in the workforce as well.

That leads to my final point, which is that I would like a debate on the nature of work, given that the world of work has changed and is changing and evolving.