Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I could not agree more with the priest to whom I spoke. The perverted notions of sexuality that have prevailed in this country lie at the root of abuse. The priest in question also stated that the time had come for a review of the formal training for priests. I ask for a debate to discuss these and many other matters.

I also call for a debate on the accountability of local government, specifically the role of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I submitted two matters for discussion on the Adjournment recently, both of which were refused. The first was on the water crisis in Galway city, while the second was related to recent flooding. On both occasions I was informed that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had no responsibility for the matters raised. To whom is local government accountable? The Green Party consistently refers to good local government. Let us make it accountable.