Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I want to echo some of the comments made by colleagues on Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's very fine speech, which I read in full and which I encourage people to read. It deserves a very wide readership as he touches on many highly important issues. I welcome the interventions of Senators Twomey and Fitzgerald asking him to go further and to clarify some of what he stated on people in denial who do not want the full truth of this terrible story to come out. Let us be clear that any denial of what is true or any minimising of what is evil is contrary not only to Christianity itself but to good citizenship. I would like to see Archbishop Diarmuid Martin go further and engage in robust debate with those he feels are in denial. That culture of openness and honest discussion is precisely what we need. I have stated previously that the church should not be afraid of a diocesan-wide inquiry. The truth will set us free. Yes, there will be need to criticise aspects of what the media do and there will be occasional distortions. There will also be people who will disagree with Archbishop Martin; he is not without his critics. However, if there is open debate then the quality of arguments on all sides can be tested. Archbishop Martin has done us all a real service in his very fine speech and clear analysis. I urge him in his work of leadership to stay the course and keep up the good work.

I also want to mention briefly the comments by the Minister for Education and Skills about the possibility of those failing higher level maths, scoring a grade E or lower in the leaving certificate, being accepted into universities. Surely it is not beyond the bounds of possibility to come up with a leaving certificate maths paper whereby someone failing honours would not pass the pass paper either. Alternatively, people should be given an opportunity to sit another maths exam if they fail so they can meet whatever matriculation or college entry requirements are in place. However, the idea of accepting E grades is a race to the bottom.