Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I dread to make any reference to the distinguished son of Kerry who has been elevated to the leadership of the Fine Gael benches today and who is making such succinct and able contributions on behalf of Kerry, as always.

I am a former pupil of the Irish Christian Brothers, a group of people I hold in high regard but who have made some serious and significant mistakes. It saddens me, as it must sadden many people, to learn that Mr. Seán Ryan, chairman of the compensatory advisory committee established under Residential Institutions Redress Act, has criticised the Irish Christian Brothers for failing to provide documentary information to the Residential Institutions Redress Board. This is appalling and incomprehensible. Christian Brothers who are doing a magnificent job in schools throughout the country and in other work are bearing the brunt of these ridiculously unacceptable decisions by their leaders. I ask the Acting Leader to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister.

The Acting Leader should reassure Senator Coghlan that the Privacy Bill will not see the light of day and that the Government is embarrassed by its contents. While we all approve of the protection of privacy, few people could support the excesses of the Privacy Bill. It is my view that the Government will not proceed with the Bill.