Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We cannot allow the current problem to continue, however. As the Taoiseach has stated, the law of the land must apply to everyone, no matter what their status in life. There are no more hiding places for those who seek to cover up their crimes in this way. There should never have been such hiding places, although there were. I am happy that this matter was raised in the House today in such a positive way. It gives a clear signal to those who would seek to withhold information and keep young people in a subservient attitude to authority, particularly church authority. Young people should be taught proper respect for authority, but not subservience.

There has been a general call for a debate in the House on this matter. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister for Health and Children will be meeting the representatives of the victims of abuse today. We will watch those developments with interest and, hopefully, we will have an informed debate in the House in due course.

Order of Business agreed to.