Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

11:00 am

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent)

I was very impressed by a point Sheila Nunan of the INTO made on radio this morning about the need for greater transparency with regard to the schools building programme. There is enormous frustration among school managers and communities around the country, not just with regard to delays on much needed projects, but with regard to the difficulty in accessing information. We have all raised Adjournment matters in the House asking similar questions and have received the same type of answer. It would be very much in the tradition of good public service if there was some better way to allow people to access information and track the progress of their projects. They could then ask the hard questions if those projects failed to progress.

I compliment Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú on the sanity he brought to the debate regarding the talks in Rome in the context of child abuse. It is understandable and almost impossible to imagine that in the current climate people would not be disappointed. That will be a feature now and in the future. There is so much hurt and anger that this is inevitable. However, I wonder what the impact of an endless cycle of recrimination will be and what impact that will have on our ability to heal as a society. I do not deny that the church continues to make mistakes in its communications. It is on its knees in communication terms and I believe it is inevitable that there will be a meeting between the Pope and Irish victims of abuse. However, we seem to be at a position where if a particular thing is not said at a particular time, we go into outrage mode.

I am very sorry when I see all of this tragedy and outrage being used to further separate agendas. If Senator Bacik believes in pluralism, as she says she does, she cannot have a problem with the establishment of Catholic schools if that is what communities want, if there is support for them and provided appropriate provision is also being made for atheists and other minorities. That is real pluralism.

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