I support Senator Bacik's call for a debate on the proposed hate crime Bill. Earlier this year, our group tabled a Private Members' motion on that issue, particularly on the definition of a hate crime and, importantly, how to encourage the collection of statistics. We had a full debate on that in the Seanad. I am interested in the University of Limerick report, and I support Senator Bacik's call in that regard.

I wish to raise the unlawful detention of and Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, in an Egyptian jail for almost two years. Many Senators have raised this issue. I have great respect for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, but I ask that he come to the Seanad and offer us reassurance that the Government is doing everything possible to seek the release of this Irish citizen. I was concerned to hear on the news last Sunday that the human rights lawyers representing Ibrahim Halawa were not aware of any formal support from the Irish Government for a request by lawyers in Cairo for his release under a presidential decree. My concern is whether the Government is doing enough in this matter.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 80, motion 17, on the Order Paper be taken today, at the Minister's convenience, to allow Senators hear the latest view of the Government. I am not criticising the Government but we need to hear its latest opinion on the illegal detention of an Irish citizen in a foreign jail. He was a child of 17 when he was arrested and has endured arbitrary detention over two years, with no review. He is a prisoner of conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly. The Seanad must continue to put pressure on the Irish Government, but also on the Egyptian Government, to expedite his release and return him safely to this country.

I second Senator Mac Conghail's amendment. I feel strongly about this issue. The Egyptians are maintaining he is an Egyptian citizen but the position of Ireland should clearly be that he is an Irish citizen. If they want a tug of war, we should give it to them.

I support the call for a debate on Greece. There should be an inquiry into the role played by Goldman Sachs in the initial entry of Greece into the eurozone. There is a lot more that could be said but I will not bother with it today.

I raise the issue of the Beit pictures. Sir Alfred and Lady Beit are on record as saying they wanted these pictures specifically to be kept in Ireland. They wanted them exhibited to the Irish people. Russborough has never exhibited them. Instead, the foundation attempted to put them secretly into an auction. They also sold an old master painting off the walls to a Russian oligarch. I suggest that they now be offered, on loan, to the municipal gallery for exhibition to the people of Ireland. It is a very fine gallery. It has half the Hugh Lane pictures, and I believe people would very much appreciate it.

I also think it is about time something positive was done for the northside of Dublin. Unfortunately, I have not been able to contact the municipal gallery. I telephoned on a number of occasions but its telephone system seems to be out of order. I ask the Leader to send a note to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, on this matter, asking that the Beit paintings, including the Rubens and the other paintings, are made available to the municipal gallery for exhibition to the people of Dublin. These paintings have never been seen and it is about time that this gift was exhibited in the proper manner.