John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I call for a series of debates in the House so that at least once a year we debate the protection and nurturing of children and that we have a regular debate on the economy. These would be features we would all get used to and we would all have a chance to prepare for them and speak. In speaking about the very sad Murphy report in particular and the litany of terrible events committed by the few over many decades I suggest that we all be mindful that the State also turned a blind eye in many instances. In the past, the State had a very mature relationship with the church and many aspects of it have matured further in recent times. Notwithstanding that, we must deal with this difficulty and reiterate what the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated, that a collar is no protection in this State against anybody being held liable for criminal prosecution and nor should it ever be.

In recognising the fact that very few clergy are involved, I understand how many of the majority are severely embarrassed by this. However, it is no harm to remind them that they still have a duty. They must preach the gospel and they should not be afraid of the unpopular aspects of it either. A message should go out from the discussion on the Order of Business that we expect the clergy, the vast majority of whom are good decent people, to continue to preach the gospel in full.