Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I join the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Coghlan, and others who expressed serious concern about the Government's abdication of responsibility for people who have been abused at the hands of schoolteachers. I was shocked by last night's excellent programme. It is unacceptable that the Government would take the stance it has taken. This will have serious repercussions for the individuals who have suffered and for boards of management. Clearly, our first concerns have to be for the victims and we must ensure their hands will not be tied in any way in terms of taking cases. However, boards of management throughout the country may also be in jeopardy when they are replaced next year. We have to give serious consideration to the possibility that many of the volunteers who previously gave freely of their time may decide not to continue serving on boards. Given that they could be facing enormous bills, I can understand why they would make such a decision and agree with speakers who have said the matter is the responsibility of the Government of the day. The Government pays for the schools and teachers' salaries, so I cannot see why it should abdicate its responsibilities. We require clarification on the matter, this morning if possible, and the Minister for Education and Science needs to come here to clearly outline the Government's position because the situation presented last night is unacceptable.