Yesterday's news of the appalling massacre of more than 140 people, including in excess of 130 children, by the Taliban in Pakistan means that again today we must express horror at this appalling outrage and despicable massacre of children and I am sure others will join me in doing so. The Taliban has reached a new low in its series of atrocities in other countries for some years. Other colleagues have spoken before of the Taliban's targeting of Christians. The Taliban has targeted children in education and yesterday it targeted the most vulnerable victims - children in a school. It is an appalling atrocity.

In terms of children's rights, I compliment Senator Jillian van Turnhout on the motion she tabled in the House to which all colleagues have signed up. I refer to No. 58, non-Government motion No. 14, which calls for adequate funding to be provided to Childline to ensure its night-time service is continued. I wish to inform colleagues, in particular Senator Paschal Mooney, that I have written to the Taoiseach enclosing a copy of the motion and explaining that the issue was raised when I was Deputy Leader in the House last Thursday. This is a good sign of the way the Seanad works and shows how Members come together on such issues.

Like Senator Paschal Mooney I express my real concern at the ECB's refusal to come before the banking inquiry. I wish all of our colleagues on the banking inquiry well in their work as it commences its public hearings today. Their work is hugely important and they have worked extremely hard already in getting the ground set for public hearings. It is very disappointing that the ECB has taken this decision. I agree with Senator Paschal Mooney and the Government will send a strong message to the ECB on its decision. Senators may have heard the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine express in very strong terms the Government's view on the matter.

In terms of the Northern Ireland talks, I would like to see us debate the matter in the new year. The talks are continuing this week in Stormont and we all hope we will see some resolution of the outstanding issues. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Minister of State, Deputy Seán Sherlock, went to Belfast on Friday. Ministers are still engaging and the Government is still very much engaged in the talks this week. It is very important that parties reach a timely resolution this week. I know that others said the same yesterday.

I ask for a debate on the issue of collective bargaining. Yesterday, the Government approved collective bargaining legislation. The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash, yesterday announced Cabinet approval to legislate for this long overdue legislation. Its aim is to provide for an improved framework for workers who seek to better their terms and conditions where an employer does not recognise a union. This is a hugely important issue for many workers across the State and for the trade union movement. A number of Supreme Court decisions have undermined collective bargaining rights. In the programme for Government in 2011 it was promised that the law would be reformed, in particular to ensure it was in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights in respect of rights to collective bargaining. We might debate the matter in early course in the new year.