Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator mentioned both Bills. I am not prepared to let violence happen to women and know that I was Leader of a House which could have passed a Bill which would have helped but did not. I note the objections regarding the second Bill. The Dáil asked us to take all Stages of it and I agreed on behalf of my party, but the matter is always open and the Opposition has a right to vote on it.

Senator Norris wants No.12, motion No. 20, to be debated in the House. I heard the programme which featured the teacher wrongly accused of sexual abuse who is now proved innocent. His wife spoke on the radio and told her story very movingly. Her children cannot leave the house. Although abuse is awful, it must also be awful to proved innocent and still be suffering. The DPP is independent. I do not know why he referred it to the courts but that is his business.