Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to cut across this to-and-fro on this, remembering that there are child victims when we discuss child protection issues and serious matters which have arisen in respect of Sinn Féin's handling of offences of child sex abuse by an employee. I propose to the House that we make time available this week for statements on child protection issues. We should simply vote, or indeed agree by consensus, to make time available this week to hear statements on child protection and the procedures within political parties for managing child protection issues.

Last week, I put to the Taoiseach a Bill that we in the Labour Party have drafted to make unincorporated associations accountable for paying redress where abuse has been committed by members or by those under the power of those organisations. That Bill would apply not only to religious orders, but also to political parties. It is important we debate how best we can ensure accountability and appropriate responses within our parties where instances occur.

As my colleague, Deputy Nash, has said, this is not the first time we have seen concerns about the main Opposition party in particular. Former Labour Party Senator, Máiría Cahill, has been very courageous in disclosing what happened in her case. We can cut across matters. While I hear what the Chief Whip has said, we should now agree in this House, perhaps without a vote, to take those statements this week.

See this speech in context