Mary White (Fianna Fail)

On a point of procedure, last week a meeting of the Seanad took place while the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill was being debated at the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. It would have been more appropriate, from a procedural point of view, if the Seanad had not met and we had discussed FOI in the committee because I could not be in two places at once. It did not make sense.

I listened yesterday to Mr. Colm O'Gorman, the director of One In Four. He feels passionately about abuse, saying that 27% of Irish people have been sexually abused. I do not know if that figure is correct – it would mean 1 million people had been abused on the island.

It is important that we clarify the terminology used, particularly in light of Mr. Murphy's comment that it is clear that records which relate to personal information, as currently provided for, encompass a broader category than those which contain personal information. It is important to reassure One In Four that all people who have been abused have access to this information. If the word "contains" covers every application by a young person trying to delve into records, that is fine. However, a satisfactory answer to Mr. O'Gorman's questions was not put forward at yesterday's meeting.

The Government taking responsibility for the claims of abused children was one of its greatest achievements because the institutions operated under the State. I do not agree with the Opposition's questioning of that position. This is an emotional issue for people to discuss and we should reassure the group that the proposal before us will not affect them. If that is the case, we can leave it but I do not believe it is satisfactory. No one at yesterday's meeting could say if it would have this effect.