Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The last time I spoke about the horrific sexual abuse of children I suggested that if we concentrated too much on the resignation of bishops, we could do an injustice to the victims. I believe that has happened. The horrific hurt felt by victims has become secondary to some extent. Even this morning there was a very broad swipe at the Catholic Church, involving everything from the Angelus on radio and television and the prayer in the Seanad to religious involvement in education. I am a little worried that the main issue in some cases is not the victims but targeting the Catholic Church. Last night I listened to the correspondent in Rome who had also covered sexual abuse issues in America, Australia and other countries. He made it quite clear that the bishops' visit to Rome was part of a process, that what had happened in the last couple of days was only the first element of that process. If we make a pre-emptive and premature case about what we believe has emerged from the conference, we will not do justice to the victims. Will the Leader consider providing us with the opportunity to have not one but several debates on this issue? I accept we have had debates on the Ryan and Murphy reports but matters have moved forward since these reports were published. I suggest we invite not one but several Ministers to attend the debates. However, I appeal to all Members to be quite clear that it is the victims we wish to look after and to ensure it does not happen again. Please, do not let the Catholic Church be the target because in that case we will not do justice to anybody.