Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader make time available and ensure the attendance of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for a debate on the Garda annual report which highlights our alarming crime statistics? The Minister said he was concerned about the 83% increase in the incidence of assault and the 81% increase in sexual crimes. If Members of the Oireachtas allow this report to pass without debate it will be an indictment of us and indicate an acceptance or tolerance of this level of crime. That is not our intention and I hope the Leader will ask the Minister to discuss this as well as the closure of Shanganagh Castle and the other matters mentioned by my colleagues. An urgent debate is required on this issue.

I also wish to raise the situation of survivors of child abuse and the Government's decision to renege on its commitment to make an interim payment of €10,000. That commitment was made last February but it has come to the notice of organisations representing the victims of abuse that it will not now be paid and that a further report is awaited. It is unacceptable to treat such a sensitive matter in so cavalier a fashion.