I support the calls made by Senators Bacik and Zappone earlier, and that made by Senator Power last week, for a debate on homophobia. Last Saturday night, Rory O'Neill - also known as Panti - made an extraordinary statement from the stage of the Abbey Theatre which, as of today, has amassed 80,000 views on YouTube. However, the national broadcaster and other broadcasters are afraid to show the footage of the event. Rory O'Neill did not mention any names when bearing witness in the context of his own experience of oppression but the fear remains among broadcasters and other media outlets in the context of disseminating his comments more widely. Thank God for social media in this instance because it allows for witness to be borne with regard to oppression. Rory O'Neill suggests that we are all a little bit homophobic. I would include myself in that regard. We must be aware of our use of language, in the context of how it can undermine and cheapen relationships, and of the need for respect. I call on the Leader to accede to the calls from colleagues for a debate on homophobia.

On 12 October 2011 and 18 April 2012, our group brought forward Private Members' motions on the connection between human trafficking and prostitution. On 27 June 2013, the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommended the introduction of a law to ban the purchase of sexual services. The Chairman of the joint committee, Deputy Stanton, stated:

The Committee finds persuasive the evidence it has heard on the reduction of demand for prostitution in Sweden since the introduction of the ban on buying sex in 1999. It concludes that such a reduction in demand will lessen the incidence of harms associated with prostitution and – particularly in view of the predominance of migrant women in prostitution in Ireland...

Is the Senator seeking a debate on the matter?

I call on the Leader to arrange for the House to consider the joint committee's report in order that we might continue the debate on this matter. I am aware that there are Senators who disagree with me in respect of this issue.

There certainly are.

I had the pleasure and privilege of being involved in the work done by the joint committee in the period leading up to the compilation of its report. We would like that report to be considered and debated by the Seanad in order that we might keep the issue alive and hear the views of those on both sides.

I support the call made by colleagues for a debate on homophobia. I was fortunate to see Rory O'Neill's "Noble Call" speech in the Abbey Theatre on Saturday night. As Senator MacConghail noted, there is a clip available on YouTube and I recommend it to those who have not seen it. The Senator also noted that this reflects the good side of social media. It was heart-rending to watch a man describe how he felt intimidated just standing at a bus stop. I recommend the YouTube clip as evidence of why everybody in this country should have free speech and why people should not be afraid to speak out. Senator MacConghail deserves to be commended for giving Rory O'Neill the opportunity to speak on Saturday night.

I too, raise the disturbing phenomenon known as neknomination. This word first entered my vocabulary at the weekend as I had no idea what this frightening practice was previously. I commend the family of the young Carlow man, Jonny Byrne, who died at the weekend, specifically his father and brother, on speaking out and pleading so eloquently for the practice to stop. Given our relationship with alcohol, the need to engage and educate society on sensible and safe drinking practices has been a key theme in recent years. Neknomination is a game with real and serious consequences, as we saw in the cases of two young men at the weekend. If allowed to continue, the practice will claim more lives. I am concerned by the response of Facebook and other social media outlets which have stated there is nothing they can do. Much more can be done to stop this phenomenon. I commend the Union of Students of Ireland on the launch on Sunday last of its Break the Chain campaign, which calls on young people to stand up and break the chain by refusing to give in to peer pressure.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?