Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for being present today as I am aware he is under pressure and has a series of meetings.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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That is okay.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I will not detain him. I apologise for the mix-up that occurred previously. The Minister is familiar with the plans and proposals on the rejuvenation and re-establishment of the Irish sugar industry and its potential for jobs.

Most independent people believe there is the possibility of creating 4,500 jobs over time in this industry time. We import 80% of our sugar from British Sugar. The Minister is entering into a phase of serious negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform. As the compensation scheme is due to end from 2015 I ask the Minister to give me an update on whether the Government is seeking 1% of the quota for Ireland. I read with concern today in the farming supplement in the Irish Examinerabout a decision made by the European Union Commission to reduce the maximum target for crop-based biofuels and bio-liquids to 5%. Will that have any effect?

I heard the Minister say on RTE radio recently that he is broadly supportive of this move. It is a major opportunity for us. Thousands of people here are interested in it. It would provide an additional line to our farmers and those involved in tillage also, particularly in the event of inclement weather which we have experienced recently. We have grown sugar beet here. It can be done, and it would have the effect of reducing costs for many companies here that use sugar as a main part of their ingredients, both in the drinks industries and others, which import from other countries. I am interested to hear the Minister's views. Will this be part of the Government's negotiations on the CAP? I thank the Minister for attending.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising the issue because it is relevant. There are many interests that for some time have been discussing whether it is possible for Ireland to start processing sugar again from sugar beet. As somebody who has driven many tractors and trailers with sugar beet into what was previously the Mallow factory, when I worked on a farm in Mallow, and on our farm at home for a while I have a good appreciation of how important the sugar industry is for the tillage sector as a break crop, a cash crop, a crop that does not rely on any payments and a crop that produces cash at a time of year when farmers want it, which is in the autumn in the build up to Christmas.

I have been as supportive as I can be of both feasibility studies that have been put together in the past six months from two different groups, both with a view to exploring the possibility of growing sugar beet for sugar processing in Ireland and putting a business case together for the redevelopment of a sugar processing sector. Both of those feasibility studies were impressive, and I spent quite some time talking through them and so on with both teams.

It is important for me to emphasise that if we are to have a sugar industry re-emerge here we must ensure that it is an industry built on solid foundations in terms of the financing of it and the business plan for it. It is something I would really like to see happen but the business case is the most important issue. My job as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to ensure that if a business case can be made for spending the guts of ¤200 million or ¤300 million on putting a new processing facility in place Ireland has a quota to be able to produce sugar, if there is still a quota regime, or that we can move away from the limitations of a sugar quota regime within the European Union as soon as possible.

In 2005, when there was a fundamental change in EU sugar policy, Ireland got out of the sugar processing business and significant compensation was paid to encourage us to do that. I not want to go into the history of that but I had a big problem with it at the time.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Me too.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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That is history, but that compensation was paid for the remainder of the current sugar regime which ends in 2015.

The Commission proposal as part of the CAP reform is that we will abolish sugar quotas in the EU after 2015. That would leave Ireland, or anybody else who wants to process sugar, free to do so and take their chances on the open market. That will not happen, however, because there are very powerful countries in the EU which want to see a continuance of sugar quotas beyond 2015. As a realist I believe that is likely to happen, perhaps until 2017 or 2018, and therefore I have made the case, both on and off the record, to the Commissioner in Council meetings and outside them that if we are to move a sugar quota regime beyond 2015 countries like Ireland, which is trying to put a case together for processing sugar again, should be facilitated in doing that if there is to be an increase in EU sugar quotas, which I believe there must be because there was a big sugar shortage last year.

In terms of the calculation for the people who are trying to put this case together and who have gone a long way in terms of getting investors, picking a suitable site and talking to farmers about their capacity for producing sugar, a great deal of work has gone on in this area and much credit is due to a number of people, in particular Michael Hoey from Country Crest and others who have shown leadership in this area. They need to know that Government is supportive of them in terms of trying to access quota for them but, ultimately, they will have to make the numbers add up in terms of making this work. That is possible. The rule of thumb is that if the price of processed sugar globally remains over ¤500 a tonne, the feasibility studies suggest that this is a viable proposition even given the capital expenditure that is required to build that processing facility.

The judgment call that must be made, however, is the impact on world sugar prices when quotas are lifted in the EU, potentially after 2015, 2017 or 2018, and whether there will there be a significant increase in production of sugar across the European Union which may reduce the actual price of processed sugar internationally because it is very difficult to compete in Europe with sugar that has been processed from sugar cane in Brazil, for example, just as it is difficult to compete with sugar cane on a series of other levels from an ethanol perspective as well.

My view is that my job is to be supportive of the people who are working hard to make a business case for a sugar processing and ethanol and biofuel operation around that and to support them in that but also to ensure that if and when that happens, it is built on solid foundations that will last for decades rather than being an industry that starts with a lot of positivity but cannot keep going because it is unable to compete with other parts of the world. There is a series of issues at play here but the fact that we are even talking about this and that people have put a significant amount of time and money into putting together very credible feasibility studies is a significant step in the right direction.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his commitment to this issue and I know he will be open to any further queries or ideas we may have on it. It is clear from his comprehensive response that not only does he fully understand but he fully appreciates the potential for jobs within this industry and for a reduction in costs. I thank him for taking the time out of his schedule today to come here; I know he had to leave a meeting to attend. I look forward to talking to him about it again in the very near future.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will keep the House updated if there are any significant changes in policy.

David Norris (Independent)
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We need to look at this. As my colleagues know, I have often raised circumstances in which inappropriate agency staff were used, people who did not even speak English, who did not know anything about drug regimes, who were sometimes drunk.

I have a direct and very specific question. Motion 9, proposed by two Independent colleagues and myself, condemns sexual violence in conflict, affirms Ireland's commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security and to playing a role in efforts to end sexual violence, and supports the efforts of organisations to draw attention to and denounce sexual violence. So far, two colleagues have signed the motion. I am sure all will because it is non-contentious and has been passed by other countries. I am sure colleagues in all parties would wish to support this.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is over time.

David Norris (Independent)
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Will the Leader consider bringing this proposal before the House? I would be very happy if it were to become a Government motion. I have no amour propre concerning the ownership of the motion. It would be very well-timed, would be good for our reputation internationally and would commit us to the cause of ending sexual violence against women.

Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)
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A very important conference is taking place in Dublin this week, the web summit, the largest tech conference in Europe. It underlines the credibility of Ireland as an IT sector given the many employers we have in this area. More than 200 CEOs from various companies are speaking at the conference. These include multi-million businesses, Twitter and Skype, as well as start-up entrepreneurs and everything in between. It is a very important conference.

What has emerged in the commentary is the need to institute a technology visa, a concept I support because it is very important. We currently have approximately 4,000 to 5,000 vacancies in the IT sector because we do not have the graduates or capacity to fill them on our own. This is a worldwide issue. As a method of ensuring that Irish employers find employees with software capabilities, a technology visa would be a way of attracting such people to Ireland. It is not about displacing jobs but about ensuring we can fill these positions and maintain jobs in our own communities. It is a very important issue and has been raised time and again in such discussions. Will the Leader bring the issue of a technology visa to the attention of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and ask that it be advanced in the interest of underpinning our strong performance in the technology area?

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I second the amendment proposed by Senator O'Brien who raised a very serious issue in regard to health. No answer has been given by the Government in spite of the hand-wringing on television and radio Senator O'Brien referred to, on the part of the Labour Party in particular.

A very serious matter arises in Brussels, not only for the Taoiseach but for the entire country. Last June the Taoiseach referred to a "seismic change" in European policy. The Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Gilmore, referred to a "game changer" for the country. We were led to believe that the deal on Spanish debt would change things forever for Ireland. There was peace in our time, such as Mr. Chamberlain brought from Munich. That is not the first time this happened. About a year ago, we heard from a 4 a.m. press conference in Brussels that the burden on the Irish people had been lifted. Unfortunately, nothing has happened. People do not mind if there is honest effort or if the Taoiseach is in Brussels doing his best. Everybody knows he is not personally responsible for the situation. What people do mind is having their expectations lifted but not delivered, and promises and statements made that are not accurate. For the Taoiseach it is a question of how much of the burden on our people would be lifted, not that it would be lifted.

Today the Taoiseach is again in Brussels. As I understand it, all he is looking for is a restatement of what was said in June. There has been a considerable lack of action by the Government in the intervening period. Momentum seems to have been lost. We are watching and waiting and it is not good enough. There has been tough talk at home, both in this Parliament and throughout the country, but the tough talk needs to take place in Brussels. Given the Taoiseach is there, we need to have a debate in this House to examine what is going on at European level, what the Government is doing in regard to the burden of bank debt, why the Taoiseach's statements of summer and October 2011 and last June, are not being implemented, what caused the Taoiseach to make those statements, what exactly is happening and what he is looking for now. What will be the end result for the people?

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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I bring to the attention of colleagues that there is a general strike in Greece today, the second such strike within a month. It follows hundreds of other often violent strikes that have taken place in Greece in the face of the austerity measures in that country. In Irish media in the recent past there has been nothing short of vilification of public servants in this country and a failure to understand the significant sacrifices our public servants have made since the start of this crisis.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to give us the good news of the achievements made under the Croke Park agreement? He could bring to light the fact that in this country we have not had unrest of the kind that has happened in Greece. We have a very responsible public sector in this country which has taken significant hits, and not just to overall salaries - the Exchequer pay bill has been reduced by 17.7%, with ¤3.1 billion saved by the end of 2012. In addition, our public servants are now facing considerable demands on their services. Without a shadow of doubt, they are delivering more with less. For example, 500,000 additional medical cards have been issued and even with increasing student numbers we have introduced a single grant scheme. We now have annual leave standardised and improved rostering in An Garda Síochána. There have been significant achievements under the Croke Park agreement. It is time to sit down and look seriously at those achievements without the type of nonsense that is spoken about our public servants.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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Some time after the Houses rose in July, CIE was found to be ¤36 million short of meeting its expenditure targets for this year which has resulted in the loss of rural bus services in places in Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and elsewhere. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, to come to the House to discuss other ways in which those bus services might be retained in rural communities?

Next week marks the 61st anniversary of the Wexford Opera Festival. Founded during the recessionary 1950s, it has become a massive international event and is of enormous value in terms of both culture and tourism. The House should extend good wishes to the festival,-----

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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-----the fruit of a recession during the 1950s, which is going so strongly today.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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Home care is an extremely important issue, one where there is need for long-term planning. That has been lacking in health care throughout the past 15 years. Let us take nursing homes, for example. Under the former Taoiseach's jurisdiction there was a massive failure and as a result ¤485 million had to be refunded to people. It is a pity that sum is not available now because it would pay for many home-care packages.

In fairness to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, he is dealing with the issues and doing long-term planning. Take the drug scheme, for example, which I mentioned earlier this week, whereby we will save ¤400 million in the coming three years. Yesterday health insurers agreed to pay out ¤125 million in advance. It is about budgeting and ensuring we use the moneys we have effectively. The Government intends to ensure that the number of people who can avail of home-care packages will grow rather than decrease. We must deal with existing budgetary constraints but the plan is to grow the number of available packages so that the maximum number of people can remain in their homes rather than be referred to nursing homes. The Minister will be doing that during the coming three years. It is about the long-term planning that had not been in place. That will happen in the lifetime of this Government.

Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, will come to the House this afternoon to discuss a broad range of issues related to her portfolio. No further business has been ordered for today. When I asked the Leader to arrange a debate on youth employment, I was advised to use the opportunity of today's meeting with the Minister to discuss the issue. Given that no other business has been scheduled, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to extend today's business and have a specific debate on youth unemployment with the Minister for Social Protection. I am concerned this issue would get lost if it was included in this afternoon's wide-ranging debate as Senators wish to raise a large number of pressing issues related to the Minister's portfolio. I mentioned youth unemployment, an increasingly important issue, to members of the troika yesterday.

I support the amendment proposed by Fianna Fáil to have representatives of the Department of Health before the House for a discussion on home help hours and home-care packages. Last night the Government defeated by 78 votes to 49 a Dáil motion tabled by my party seeking to reverse ¤8 million in cuts to home help services and ¤1.7 million in cuts to home care packages. Senators must have an opportunity to express their opinions on the removal of almost 500,000 home help hours and indicate whether they support the cuts or would vote to have them reversed.

Will the Leader arrange to have the Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, come to the House to discuss the Moore Street campaign? An important documentary broadcast last night showed that Dublin City Council and a slew of developers had been engaging in smoke and mirrors tactics about this development. The Minister should outline to the House the current status of the national monument on Moore Street.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator proposing an amendment to the Order of Business?

Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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Yes.

John Kelly (Labour)
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Yesterday Senator Michael D'Arcy referred to the answers Senators received when they raised matters on the Adjournment. Yesterday evening I received a written reply to a health related matter I had raised. I guarantee that Senators who were not present for last night's debate would be unable to work out what the motion was about if they read the reply. Worse still, an official from the Department of Health telephoned me before the discussion requesting that I be specific about the matter I had raised. I referred to two specific issues related to the manner in which guidelines for medical cards were being interpreted by the primary care reimbursement service. Neither of the issues I raised was referred to in the reply. I call on the Leader to arrange a meeting of the Whips on the issue. It is nonsensical and a waste of time for Senators to receive answers of this nature when they raise specific matters on the Adjournment.

I have made a proposal to the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, on the proposed cuts to home care services. If he wants to reduce funding for home help services by ¤8 million and cut home help hours by 600,000, he should open up the service to community employment schemes. Home helps are ordinary people, as are those experiencing long-term unemployment. One could create 30,000 jobs and provide 600,000 home help hours for ¤750,000. Under my proposal, the Minister would save ¤8 million without reducing home help hours. I call on the Leader to bring this proposal to the attention of the Minister and ask him to give it serious consideration.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I have referred to the Personal Insolvency Bill on a regular basis since the recess. It will be one of the most important Bills to come before the House. More than one in five mortgages are in distress. I am disturbed that the Government is not providing information on how the Bill was designed. Following the publication of the draft heads in January, Simon Carswell of The Irish Times submitted a freedom of information request seeking information on the legislation. When it was refused, he subsequently submitted a new request. Of 63 records in a schedule, the Department refused to release 52 and only two records were released in full and without redaction. According to Mr. Carswell's report, the records that were not released included ten relating to contacts with the Department by the Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks, Ulster Bank, KBC Bank, Start Mortgages and GE Money, while a further five related to contacts made by the banks' representative body, the Irish Banking Federation. The lobbying campaign by the banks has been intense since the publication of the Bill. We know they sought to have the cap on mortgage debt that may be eligible for write-downs under the Bill lowered. More than a dozen records of meetings were also refused, including those with the Department and correspondence between the Departments of Finance and Justice and Equality and the Central Bank.

There is no doubt that members of the public would benefit from transparency on the Personal Insolvency Bill. If implemented properly and without unreasonable banking interference or the exercise of a veto by the banks, the legislation could mark a significant step forward in resolving the current crisis. Some of the Senators opposite who danced up and down when amendments were made to the Freedom of Information Act by a previous Government have embraced one of the most secretive Governments I have seen in my time. Having listened to the contributions of Senators Michael D'Arcy and John Kelly, I ask that more Senators speak their minds about what is wrong with the current Administration in order that the problems can be corrected.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I am disappointed by yesterday's announcement of 180 job losses in Abbott Nutrition in Sligo. Our thoughts must be with those who will lose their jobs. The announcement was made on the back of good news for the town, including the decision to retain 120 jobs at Stiefel Laboratories. We must ensure employment becomes available to those who will be made redundant. I call on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to ensure everything possible is done by IDA Ireland in Sligo and other relevant organisations to ensure those who lose their jobs in the town are redeployed. I note the redundancies will be voluntary and introduced on a phased basis. We cannot stand over job losses of this nature.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Jim Walsh's call for openness and transparency in the drafting of the Personal Insolvency Bill. As I indicated earlier in the week, if the banks drafted legislation on this issue, one would probably not be able to tell the difference between it and the Personal Insolvency Bill. The Government is duty-bound to find out-----

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should speak directly to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Bruton, about the issue.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Please allow Senator Mark Daly to continue, without interruption.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Minister will be able to provide all correspondence and the minutes of all meetings concerning the Bill. It is unacceptable that the banks are lobbying to ensure the legislation is designed to suit their interests. More important, what changes are they seeking and what changes are being made?

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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What about the bank guarantee given to the banks? The previous Government misled the country.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We will not have interruptions.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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It told us the issue was one of bank liquidity rather than insolvency.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator must respect the Chair.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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The Fine Gael Party voted for the bank guarantee.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I look forward to Senator Fidelma Healy Eames informing the House what she has learned from the Government about lobbying by the banks to have the Bill suit their interests. If the legislation suits the banks, it will not suit citizens or those who owe money to the banks. One in five mortgages is in distress and a new group of vulnerable people, namely, the middle class, has emerged. The Minister for Social Protection has made a bizarre call on the banks to offer reasonable mechanisms and help their fellow citizens. The banks will only help themselves. Their directors will do nothing other than make profit in order that they can pay themselves large salaries and bonuses. Calling on the banks to do anything other than make a profit is nothing short of living in cloud-cuckoo-land.

The only way the Minister can help people is to regulate the banks in terms of dealing with those in distress because of arrears and the new vulnerable, namely, people who are struggling to pay their mortgages. They are still paying their mortgages but as we know from the case of the Garda sergeant who had to seek help from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, they barely have enough money to eat. The Government is calling on the banks to make a decision but it is the Government which must make a decision. It must legislate for the banks to act because they will not do anything other than make profit. Expecting anything else from the banks is not living in the real world. In terms of calling on the banks to do something-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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-----that is someone who believes they are still in opposition and not in government. The Government must do the work.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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It is rather difficult to listen to Senator Daly. This Government inherited an appalling situation but it is making progress on a daily basis in addressing all the critical issues facing the country.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Members opposite are in government to do something and not give out about the appalling situation.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Mullins, do you have a question for the Leader?

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I have. There have been many discussions in this House and in the other House on the tens of thousands of Irish people who settled in the United States in past decades who are in employment but remain undocumented, illegal migrants. Many politicians from all parties have travelled to meet politicians in the US and successive US Presidents on this issue but we stand in danger of being accused of hypocrisy if we do not address the problem on our own doorstep of the 30,000 migrant families and their children living undocumented here. Many of those people have been working in well-paid jobs and are paying their taxes. They are deeply rooted in the communities in which they live but they are living under great stress and fear. They are vulnerable to exploitation and excluded from basic services. Like the Irish in America they are cut off from their families. That issue must be addressed.

I ask the Leader to arrange to have a debate in the not too distant future to allow the Minister, Deputy Shatter, come into the House to discuss this issue and how we could introduce an earned regularisation scheme that might work where "illegals" here would earn credits and that over time their position in this country would be regularised. It involves a significant number of people. They are making a contribution to the society and to the community and like the Irish in America it is only fair that they be allowed travel to see their relatives without the fear of being excluded from the country in the future.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith tacú leis an mholadh atá déanta ag an Seanadóir Reilly leasú a dhéanamh ar Riar na hOibre. I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague, Senator Reilly, to extend the business of the day by an hour to give a specific focus on debating youth unemployment.

I agree with Senator Barrett's comments on the need to examine the issue of rural transport.

The primary issue I raise is about information in a reply to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, in the Dáil which shows that increased revenue resources could bring in up to ¤100 million. With the information he has received from the Revenue Commissioners through the Department of Finance, an investment of ¤6.5 million in 125 additional trained Revenue staff would generate ¤100 million next year from the targeting of black market activity and increased audit activity. I heard an interview on a radio programme this morning with a former Revenue Commissioners auditor who said that for what would seem to be a relatively good investment of ¤6.5 million, 125 extra jobs would be created but the return to the Exchequer would be up to ¤100 million. It would be an interesting issue to examine. We are often criticised for being negative in this House but we are bringing forward a positive proposal which could be examined.

While the Leader is examining that issue and if he has time over the weekend he might examine the other positive proposals in the Sinn Féin jobs proposals programme. As I said, we are often criticised for not bringing forward positive ideas but there are many positive ideas in this document, which runs to 60 pages. We have talked to many stakeholders on the issue. We will be raising the issues when the Minister, Deputy Bruton, comes into the House to discuss job creation but we are talking about an investment programme of ¤13 billion creating 156,000 jobs and retaining 15,000 jobs. The Leader might read that document in advance of any jobs debate to ensure he is aware of it and we will not have to tell him that we have a jobs programme.

It would be interesting to have a specific debate in the run up to the budget on ways Revenue could bring in more revenue and create jobs at the same time.

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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I was listening to a radio programme this morning when the issue of sexual violence against women arose. This is an opportune day to put back on the agenda the issue I raised with the Taoiseach when he was in the House with members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, namely, United Nations Security Resolution 1325. I work with Hanna's House in Dublin on sexual violence against women. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have responded positively to that issue because the Government launched a national action plan on United Nations Security Resolution 1325 but when EU resolutions are passed every EU country must ensure that those resolutions are implemented. The Leader has asked all Members to put various items on the agenda for Private Members' motions. This is one of my pet motions and I hope the Leader will look favourably on it.

I commend Senator Norris on raising the issue earlier, particularly on the day when the man who was charged with a violent sexual assault on a 17 year old woman can avoid a jail sentence if he pays ¤15,000. There are certain things money cannot buy, and sex is one of them. We all know it is called prostitution but I do not see the difference. I want the issue of violence against women to be debated in this House. I raised it with the Taoiseach and, under the auspices of Resolution 1325, with Hanna's House which is supporting this issue and doing great work on it. Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1670 makes sexual violence against women in armed conflict a war crime. Unfortunately, many war crimes are committed against women. It may not be a bullet that is used but we have seen sexual violence perpetrated against women throughout the world. I want a debate on that issue. I thank Senator Norris for raising it earlier. I want us to ensure that this country takes the issue seriously on a day when a man can pay ¤15,000 to have his sentence suspended while another man was sent to jail for six years for non-payment of garlic import duty. Where are our priorities?

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Two years ago we had what I would consider an historic debate in this House on the future of Moore Street in Dublin, which has a strong connection with the 1916 Rising. On that occasion relatives of the seven signatories of the Proclamation were in the Visitors Gallery. They were indicating their support to have Moore Street developed as an historic and tourism attraction. Following on that debate I arranged a meeting with the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach assembled officials from several Departments and also from the cultural institutions. In attendance at that meeting were the Moore Street committee and the relatives of the signatories and it was clear that there was goodwill for the prospect of having this work done in time for the centenary of the Rising in 2016.

Last night I watched a programme on TG4 which made disturbing viewing because one of the road blocks to developing that site, and I know the Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, is committed to it because I walked the site with him, seems to refer to some ownership of that property. That balanced and well-researched programme discovered certain documents which would raise serious questions about the ownership and the way it was transferred from one company to another. That has cast a shadow over Moore Street.

I call on the Leader to ask the Minister to come in and discuss this with us. There is a good deal of disturbance.

I received a letter signed by the relatives of the seven signatories which is in itself a historic letter. Since 1916 they have never connected themselves with any other campaign. They have been associated with nothing and have always remained silent. However, they are keen that we do something to secure what they are looking for in Moore Street and that we arrange a proper commemoration in time for the centenary in 2016.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are all mindful of the serious threat we face today at the summit in Brussels given the recent views expressed by the German, Finnish and Dutch finance Ministers. They sought to block or back track on the solemn agreement made in June that sovereign debt and bank debt should be decoupled. It was specifically agreed that the vicious circle between the two should be broken and that Ireland's debt should be re-examined with a view to improving its sustainability. Despite the views of Senator Byrne, we can have confidence that our Taoiseach and his team will ensure that the solemn agreement or commitment is re-affirmed and that we can make progress.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I support the comments of Senator Coghlan. I reassure the House that An Taoiseach is doing absolutely everything to enforce the words of 29 June with regard to the separation of sovereign and private debt in the banks. To be fair, he is also gathering allies on this issue. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, was here last week. He said the agreement must be enforced as well. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, assures us that he is doing absolutely everything to get a deal on the debt. He has said that without it, it is like driving a car with the handbrake on. The House can rest assured that we are 100% sincere about this.

I am shocked and flabbergasted at the judgment in the sexual assault case reported on the front page of The Irish Times. A man with a previous record of serious harm and whose mother admitted that he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child, got a suspended four-year sentence after attacking a 17 year old. As Senator Cáit Keane noted, he was asked to pay ¤15,000. I cannot get over why there was no requirement for him to attend counselling. The poor 17 year old victim is attending counselling every two weeks to get over it. This man has-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is an individual sentence.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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It is a very important point.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is a matter for the courts.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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We want to ensure for the sake of society and for the safety of women that he does not do it again.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The independence of the Judiciary is vital.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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This is important. It is about sexual violence against women. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, must come to the House to discuss-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, you are discussing an individual case in the House and you are impinging on the Judiciary.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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It is a macro point. It is about healing and rehabilitation. I am simply questioning judgments in sexual assault cases. We must also help the perpetrators in order that we protect society and women. I want the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to come to the House such that we can examine judgments and how best to rehabilitate people who commit violent acts against women.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to pick up on the points made on the forthcoming summit by Senator Coghlan. I do not imagine there is anyone on this side of the House who would not support the efforts of the Government, led by the Taoiseach, to try to decouple the sovereign from the bank debt. Ultimately, that is a partial solution to getting us out of our economic woes. However, criticism has been levelled at the Taoiseach and the Government following the meeting that took place between the three finance Ministers. There has been government to government contact and given that three quarters of the Cabinet were in Brussels recently it should have afforded an opportunity, at least on a public relations basis, for the Taoiseach to have requested a meeting with the Prime Ministers of the relevant countries. At the very least there should have been a meeting held with the finance Ministers concerned, who seem to have taken a unilateral decision. Admittedly, they are very powerful but it raises the point about how successful we can be.

Unless we are successful, we will have serious difficulties in trying to get rid of our debt. We can talk about reducing our deficit to 3% of GDP until the cows come home but if we cannot get rid of the unsustainable bank debt and get it removed from the sovereign, then we will be running fast to stand still and into the next generation. That is why concern is being expressed on this side of the House. Whether it is a lack of awareness within the Government of the impact this is having on the public, there is a perception that we are not trying hard enough and that perhaps we should be playing hard ball.

It is obvious to the dogs in the street that Ireland was used as a guinea pig by the European Central Bank in particular. Mr. Trichet's remarks recently to the effect that the bank went the extra mile to help Ireland were not helpful either. It is perfectly clear that there is correspondence within the Department of the Taoiseach that forced the former Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, God rest him, to force Ireland into a bailout against the wishes of the Government of the time. It is time that those responsible in Europe stood up and did what they were supposed to do.

I fully agree with all the comments made. Whatever happened at the summit in June and irrespective of the meeting that took place subsequently between certain finance Ministers, the Taoiseach and the Government should stick closely and rigidly to what happened. Will the Leader entertain the notion that the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs would come to the House to give a post-summit briefing? That would allow an opportunity for us to tease out these issues.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Shakespeare once said that something was rotten in the state of Denmark. From what I read in the newspaper this morning, it seems something is rotten in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. It is appalling to think that money can buy one's way out of jail. The Minister for Justice and Equality needs to review sentencing in sexual cases.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, you have to respect the independence of the Constitution and the Judiciary.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I am looking for a debate.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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You are not to bring the courts into disrepute in this House.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I am looking for a debate on improving the law on sexual crime in this country. We must ensure people go to jail when they commit acts of violence against women.

I call for a debate on the undocumented Irish living in America, on which Senator Michael Mullins commented earlier. I attended a rally in Washington in 2006 in support of the Kennedy McCain Immigration Bill. More than 3,000 undocumented Irish people, our citizens, are living and working in America. They cannot get health insurance or travel back to Ireland for family events such as weddings and funerals. Many of them have not been back in Ireland in 20 years. These people want to live legally and want to pay their taxes. They want to embrace a society in a place they now call home. Our Government and society have a responsibility to use whatever influence we have in Washington to support the legalisation and to create a path for documentation for these citizens of our country. We all know undocumented people in America. They are decent, hard-working people. They are our citizens. They fly the Irish flag at every opportunity and I am keen for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to update the House in due course on what exactly is happening to support the undocumented Irish in Washington and in America.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I emphasise to Members the importance of the independence of the Judiciary. I will not bring members of the Judiciary into disrepute or allow them to be brought into disrepute by anyone in the House.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I agree with the sentiments of those on the other side of the House with regard to the Personal Insolvency Bill when it comes to the banks. However, it is difficult to listen to members of Fianna Fáil talking about openness and transparency when it comes to the banking sector. The point that many of the leaders in the banks are missing is that they were saved in order that we could have a functioning banking system. I reject the idea that they would tell us, now that we own them, how the Personal Insolvency Bill should operate. That may be putting it too strongly but the idea that they have the clout that they seem to have is a matter of concern. I urge those in charge in the Government to let the banks know that we run them now and that 97% is not a small shareholding by any stretch of the imagination.

The economy cannot function unless the banks come to the realisation that they must work in the times that we are in and they must help those in distressed situations, and although they are in being to make profit, they need to realise that the clout they once had has diminished significantly.

I also support other colleagues who spoke about sexual violence against women. I do not wish to speak on any particular case that is being covered in the media, but at the same time the idea that money can buy a person freedom from punishment is serious. We need to have a debate on the matter in this House and I would welcome other Senators' calls for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to come in for a meaningful debate on the issue.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien welcomed the credit guarantee scheme. We all would welcome this scheme. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, will be in the House on 13 November for two hours and we will be able to debate that credit guarantee scheme. Indeed, Senator Reilly asked for a debate on youth unemployment. We can include it with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, today and the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, on 13 November, and if we need to discuss the matter specifically we will arrange that also.

On home-help hours, there is the other side of the House in the person of Senator Darragh O'Brien criticising the Government for overruns in the health system but when it takes action, it is criticised as well. That is par for the course.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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They must take responsibility for it.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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That is what politics is all about. The Minister for Health was here and explained the situation when speaking on Second Stage on the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Take responsibility for it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Cummins, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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If Senator Darragh O'Brien has other amendments to make on that Bill, we will have the Bill on Report Stage in here next week.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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We will. Why will the Leader not take responsibility for the cuts?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We would welcome any amendments Deputy Darragh O'Brien has and any suggestions,-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Take responsibility for the cut.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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-----and the Minister will also welcome any proposals that the Senator can give in order to cut funds and have an adequate health system.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Why is the Government blaming the HSE for it when the Minister is-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We would really appreciate those constructive proposals at any time.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Absolutely no problem, as we continually do.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Bacik raised the EU summit. We will have the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Creighton, in here next week.

Senators Bacik, Keane, Healy Eames, Conway, Noone and Norris raised a court case and looked for a debate on sentencing guidelines. I concur with the Cathaoirleach that we must be mindful of the separation of powers. I respect what Senators are saying and how they feel on this case, but we cannot deal with individual cases here. I will try to get the Minister, Deputy Shatter, into the House, as has been requested, to debate the question of sentencing guidelines. A debate on something such as that is probably long overdue.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Norris raised No. 9 on the Order Paper, which is not a Government motion. I will certainly consider his suggestion and get back to him next week on it.

David Norris (Independent)
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I thank the Leader.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I note his points on the Family Support Agency. I am sure the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, will be quite willing to meet it. As he will be aware, she is totally consumed with the children's referendum. It may be after the children's referendum, but I am sure the Minister will be amenable to meeting the Family Support Agency.

David Norris (Independent)
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I appreciate the Leader's position and the Minister's.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Clune raised the web summit in Dublin which is of paramount importance to the country and the issue of technology visas. I will certainly raise that matter. The Minister is well aware of that situation. As I stated, we will have him in on 13 November but I will relay the Senator's concerns in that regard.

I would hope that Senator Byrne would find it in his heart to support the Taoiseach and the Government in our efforts to get a deal on bank debt in the interests of all the citizens. That would be the wish of everybody on the summit that will be held this week.

Senator Hayden raised the achievements of the Croke Park agreement. There have been many achievements on the Croke Park agreement over the past 18 months. We will have the Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform, Deputy Howlin, in the House, as has been requested, to debate the Croke Park agreement and, indeed, many other issues in respect of his Department.

I note Senator Barrett's comments on CIE and bus services for rural areas that have been withdrawn. We will have the Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar, in here, probably for an overall debate encompassing a number of areas on transport, in early course.

Senator Colm Burke raised the achievements and reform that have taken place in the health service. The Minister outlined those, in particular, on Second Stage of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012, and we will have him in again here next week.

On the issue of national monuments, raised by Senators Reilly and Ó Murchú, I will certainly invite the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to come in. I am sure it is a matter that is close to the Taoiseach's heart and, indeed, the Minister's, and perhaps we could have an update on the situation. I note the points Senator Ó Murchú made on a television programme, which I have not viewed. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister and perhaps we can have him in here fairly soon.

Senator Kelly raised the question of answers to Adjournment motions and proposals for home help. I can raise the question of answers for Adjournment motions at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Ceann Comhairle has taken action in the other House. We will examine the system and see whether we can improve it in any way. On proposals which Senator Kelly made for home help, if he provides me with a copy of those proposals I will ensure the Minister gets them.

Senator Walsh commented on the banks. Indeed, other Senators have mentioned that. We will take Second Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill in the House on 21 November and I can assure everybody that they will have ample time to debate that on Second Stage. We will provide as much time as possible for every Senator, if he or she wishes, to contribute on the Bill. There will be no time constraints and any points that anybody wishes to raise can be made by them at that stage.

Senator Comiskey raised the regrettable job losses in Abbott in Sligo. Hopefully, those jobs will be replaced in early course.

On Senator Daly's comments on banks, he will have ample time to bring forward amendments to the Personal Insolvency Bill if he is not happy with it. On the points he raised on the Minister, Deputy Burton, I hope he will stay on to make those points to her when she is here.

Senators Michael Mullins and Conway raised the undocumented Irish in the United States. The Government will continue to lobby on this issue. Senator Mullins also raised the point on the undocumented in this country, which is another matter in need of attention.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh mentioned the Sinn Féin budget proposals. As I stated, the Government will examine proposals from all sources but will then make its decisions, obviously based on the proposals.

Senator Keane raised the matter of sexual violence against women, which I have mentioned. She mentioned the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1670. I will try to have a debate on that. Perhaps we can do so in the context of non-Government motion No. 9 on the Order Paper at a later stage.

Senators Paul Coghlan and Healy Eames raised progress at the EU summit on bank debt.

The Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, will be in the House next week to discuss developments at the EU summit.

Senator Noone mentioned the banks and the insolvency Bill and those items can be discussed on 21 November. I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business. The issue has been covered here by the Minister and he has made the position clear. Senator Burke has also outlined the situation and has indicated that it is the intention of the Government to develop home-care packages.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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The Government is going in the wrong direction on it.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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There will not be a knee-jerk reaction because it must be planned properly. That is what will happen and there will be more home-care packages rolled out over the coming years. That is the intention of the Government. Therefore, I do not intend to accept the amendment to the Order of Business because we should not be making a political football out of this issue.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is a very serious issue. Should we not raise very serious issues in this House?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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That is the prerogative of Members of the House and if they wish to do that, well and good.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Should we just lie down and let the Government cut home-care hours again?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for the Health on Government policy in relation to home care hours be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, will be in the House next week to discuss developments at the EU summit.

Senator Noone mentioned the banks and the insolvency Bill and those items can be discussed on 21 November. I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business. The issue has been covered here by the Minister and he has made the position clear. Senator Burke has also outlined the situation and has indicated that it is the intention of the Government to develop home-care packages.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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The Government is going in the wrong direction on it.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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There will not be a knee-jerk reaction because it must be planned properly. That is what will happen and there will be more home-care packages rolled out over the coming years. That is the intention of the Government. Therefore, I do not intend to accept the amendment to the Order of Business because we should not be making a political football out of this issue.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is a very serious issue. Should we not raise very serious issues in this House?

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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That is the prerogative of Members of the House and if they wish to do that, well and good.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Should we just lie down and let the Government cut home-care hours again?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Health on Government policy in relation to home care hours be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Reilly has moved the following amendment to the Order of Business: "That the time allocated to No. 1 be extended by one hour to allow a debate on youth unemployment." Is the amendment being pressed?

Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)
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Yes.