Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and agree with what he has said. This horrific violation of the innocence of children has spread understandable shock, genuine concern and fear across every community. That is why a comprehensive programme involving different agencies is required in this incident. In addition, we accept that child protection is a core principle that goes to the heart of the community. Does the Taoiseach agree that, arising from the incident, we need to reflect on this issue and redouble our efforts to take additional steps required to ensure that in every community across the country there will be a robust child protection framework in place that will embrace education, the media, health and security? In that context, we should look at the idea of sustained campaigns on protecting children in situations such as this. In other jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom there are such recurrent and sustained education campaigns. This is a point on which we might reflect as we do everything possible to give every support required to the communities involved.

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