John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I listened to most of the contributions, some of which, not least the previous one, were very good. Nevertheless, I take issue with several of the points made by Senator Ó Murchú and will address them later.

I, too, pay tribute to Ms Justice Laffoy who resigned from her position on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. In her letter of resignation she expressed many legitimate concerns which should be raised in every political forum. I object to being accused of playing politics with an issue for raising relevant concerns expressed elsewhere. I and other Members of the Opposition have a role to play in bringing these issues to the attention of the House. We would be in dereliction of our duty if we failed to do so.

I am not a church basher, but a practising member of the Catholic Church who was educated at second level by the Augustinians in New Ross. I pay tribute to them, to the people who played a significant role through the years looking after people for whom the State was not in a position to care and to those who are involved in education and do tremendous work in that sector. We would not have an education system without the contribution of the religious orders over the years.