Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator van Turnhout for putting down this motion and welcome the Minister's strong speech on its behalf. I believe we are all at one on this, and certainly all five of the University Senators were honoured to sign the motion when Senator van Turnhout brought it to us.

We have heard all about negative body image being promoted among people who lose in these competitions, as well as about the sexual exploitation of children and the exploitation of children through clothing, make-up and so on, as the Minister has described. Our stand this evening is very important and welcome. It echoes a proud tradition because, when children were being abused and beaten in schools, two Senators, John Boland and Owen Sheehy-Skeffington, were to the fore in opposing that abuse of children. Too many people in Irish society looked the other way when there were the child abuse scandals that we are now investigating, and about which we are finding out the dreadful things that happened. That is not happening here this evening. A matter has been brought to our attention by Senator van Turnhout and the Minister, and we have reacted in exactly the right way. That is a good night for Seanad Éireann and for young children.