Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On a related matter on the question of abuse of children, the House is aware of the extraordinary statement made by the representative of the Christian Brothers to the redress board during the week, to the effect that victims of clerical sexual child abuse put forward their complaints in the hope of getting money. This House debated those issues on a number of occasions and showed extraordinary sensitivity and understanding of the troubles and traumas of these victims. We should make it clear that we vehemently reject this statement.

I should also bring to the attention of the House that the same person who made the allegation to the redress board during the week is a trustee of Marino Institute of Education and dealt with the complaints there. On "Prime Time" he stated to me that he had never received a complaint, although I was holding copies of 15 complaints he had received during the previous year. He refused to acknowledge them. We know how he deals with complaints. He states victims of child sexual abuse are only in it for the money, and he ignores people doing a day's work in Marino Institute of Education and throws their complaints in the bin.

The connection between what is happening in Marino and the issues investigated at the redress board is sinister. I would like the Minister for Education and Science to indicate to us whether she is aware of any connection between them. Is it appropriate that somebody who made that comment about victims of trauma should be in a position of trusteeship for the Marino Institute of Education? It is quite appalling.

Senator Coghlan and I have an item on the Order Paper regarding the rights of muintir na Gaeltachta to decide on the names of their own places of residence, as applies to every other part of the country.