Joe O'Toole (Independent)

When the issue of clerical child abuse was raised yesterday, we asked the Leader to consider engaging with the Government or the appropriate Minister in order to arrange a debate. Our requests for a such a debate were not rhetorical because this matter must be discussed. As stated yesterday, we are not shooting from the hip on this, we are merely raising the issues as they arise. I would like a transparent investigation of the sort of agenda pursued by those people who tried to object to young children obtaining the information and confidence they need to protect themselves against abuse.

Senator Norris made the point yesterday that in a previous debate Members heatedly argued that it was completely wrong that the church could be exempt from certain parts of the equality legislation. Under the law of the land teachers can be sacked for holding an inappropriate set of beliefs, whereas people in the church found guilty of child abuse do not have to take responsibility for their actions. They continue blithely on their way as priests, which is wrong. To reaffirm my comments yesterday, I ask the Leader to bring forward an outline plan of how we might rectify this and make a valid contribution to the debate. We will not go away.