Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Harney, on the great sanction she has introduced. I also congratulate Senator Wilson, as others have done, on raising the matter in question 18 months ago in the House. As one who participated in that debate, I recall the Minister, Deputy Harney, saying she would not speak first because she wanted to listen to the views of Senators. She took them on board and I congratulate her on doing that. I note that Senator Wilson said this issue could go off the agenda but we must not allow that to happen.

I have asked that another matter, that of child abuse, should be kept on the agenda forever. I stand with other Senators in supporting Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in this respect. I was heartened by the fact that he was disheartened and discouraged. He stated that since taking office he had never felt as disheartened in terms of the unwillingness of some sections of the church to address the issue. I agree with Senator O'Toole who said there was a cover-up in this regard. During the debate on the Murphy report there was not one Senator who sang from a different hymn sheet from that with which we all came into the House. It would be worthwhile for us to debate the issue again. The church is troubled and divided. The cover-up by some sections of the church will destroy rather than protect it. I agree with others who said we must support good men like Archbishop Martin, Bishop Walsh and other clerics. I was not surprised to hear the Archbishop say what he said. The public is aware that the reaction of the church has not been as good as we would have expected. If we can bring the good sections of the church with us, we will not alone save the church but will also give peace and comfort to those who were abused and ensure it will never happen again.