Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

In view of the appalling and traumatic circumstances facing so many individuals, families and communities as a result of the flooding, I ask that the Order of Business be amended to enable the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to be invited to come to the House today to give a report on the up-to-date position. Significant questions arise about delays in making insurance payments, when aid will be given to families and the response of the European Union. I know that Members on all sides want to hear from the Minister on a range of issues. Unfortunately, this will be an ongoing crisis.

Judge Yvonne Murphy is to be congratulated on her report and the clarity with which she presented her findings. The report should be regarded as a defining moment in the relationship between the church and State. Anyone who by their actions or inaction created a situation where children were raped and molested should not continue in their position and the report states clearly that this was the case. Condemnation is not enough. We must look to see whether children are now safe and whether audits are required in other dioceses also. The State needs to consider this question seriously, particularly in view of the audit undertaken recently by the HSE which showed that the State was not receiving the co-operation it had sought in the first instance and which had to be dragged from people at the time. Has the position changed?

People are stunned and appalled by the information contained in the Murphy report and we must ask if the State is now protecting children. I refer to the report of the Ombudsman for Children on young, unsupervised children arriving in the country who in many cases become fodder for the sex industry. Is this the way to protect children? This is what is happening to such children. I refer to the many examples where the HSE is unable to provide a 24-hour service when needed for children who are the victims of abuse and is unable to assign social workers or respond to children who need help. Assessment lists in child and family centres throughout the country are closed. What action will be taken by the State on behalf of children? I ask the Leader to arrange for the Ministers who will come to the House on Thursday to list the actions being taken by them, starting with the constitutional amendment on children and detailing the response to the other issues I have raised today. We have to start talking in realistic terms. This is not about pious hopes in looking after children but rather the action the State is taking to protect children at risk.