Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I join those colleagues who have suggested that at the opportune time, one hopes before the summer recess, Members should reflect by way of a debate on the Cloyne report. I did not hear the full contribution made by Senator Norris but he indicated Members should read the report in full before commenting in any great detail and I agree with him in that regard. I speak as a member of the diocese of Cloyne and, obviously, what I have read over the past day or so has been extremely traumatic. Some of the news is of no great surprise, but when one sees it in print and the conclusions made, it is a source of deep trauma, disappointment and regret. As I stated, I do not intend to discuss the report in any great detail this morning, but a message of deep sympathy and empathy must go out from this House to all the victims. It is fair to state a similar message must also go to all the genuine, hard-working and entirely innocent priests and clergy of the people, both in the diocese of Cloyne and nationwide, because they, too, share in the trauma, bitterness and upset. One cannot repair the horrors of history but one must attempt to move forward. I look forward to a broad and wide-ranging debate in the House at the earliest possible opportunity.

In addition, I also heard mention of the position regarding Palestine, Israel and the Middle East, to which reference was also made in this Chamber on Tuesday when a request was made for a debate on the general position in the Middle East. I look forward to that debate, in which balance will be required. Over the past decade or so, Members have considered the position in the Middle East from one perspective only. They also must recognise there is a country, state and democracy, indeed the only democracy in the Middle East, called Israel, which consists of a people against whom an attempt was made within the past 50 or 60 years to wipe them off the map. This must also be reflected on and recollected and Members must have such a balanced debate on the Middle East. I fully support the right of the Palestinian people to have a state, to be protected and to be defended, but I also wish to put on record my strong support for the recognition and defence of the state of Israel. I refer to a people who faced the gas chambers. That is their history and that should not be forgotten by Members, who also should try to empathise with and understand their perspective.