Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join other speakers in asking the Leader to postpone the debate this afternoon, given that the relevance of politics and politicians is being debated now more than ever. As Senators Alex White and Fitzgerald have said, we will debate the economy today in a vacuum. We are one of the two Houses of Parliament and this Government has yet again shown disrespect not just to us but to the ordinary citizens we represent. It is incumbent on the Leader to bring to the House the document being presented to the social partners today so we can debate it.

This is clearly a case of the Government making up policy on the hoof. There is no cogent plan or vision as all we are seeing is fire-fighting with no water or sand. We are leaderless and the ship of state is on the rocks. It is audacious to ask us to become part of a national Government when the Government is not providing leadership. How dare it do so.

The Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, should attend the House. I am not a legal expert but rather an ordinary citizen who saw what happened with the Roscommon incest case. I am not as eloquent as Senators Norris or Mullen. The events that took place in Roscommon should never be allowed to recur in this State. Responsibility for this matter should be placed upon the various authorities that failed to act. Deputy Shatter is correct to state that the Health Service Executive should not be involved in the independent inquiry because it has a vested interest and would be investigating itself. The HSE should do the honourable thing and stand aside.

We need leadership — this has not been forthcoming from the Government — in respect of children's rights. When I worked as a schoolteacher, I taught religion and disseminated information on the On My Own Two Feet programme. Parents questioned my motivation and that of colleagues throughout the country in respect of this matter. Teachers should not be blamed for what occurred in this instance. They did their job. We must try to discover the identities of those who failed to do their jobs. Action must be taken to ensure that children will never again be placed at risk. It is time to stop playing politics with children's rights. This matter revolves around people and the Minister must come before the House to discuss it.