Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I support Senators Norris and MacSharry who have called for a debate on church and State. While we had a good debate yesterday on pluralism in education it would be valuable to have a debate on church and State. Senator Norris said he knew of several cases of homophobic bullying by clergy. If any Senator knows of anything of this nature, the onus is on them to do their level best to ensure it is not happening. Also there is an onus on everybody involved in the Catholic Church. As Senators Norris and MacSharry have said when one hears references to notetakers or whatever there is a need to ensure everything is done.

I wish to raise the position of kidney donors. From today, in the UK and US Facebook will be able to register donors. Senator Feargal Quinn will be pleased to hear this as he was one of the first to raise the issue and brought forward a Bill on organ donation. We do not have such a facility in Ireland. For myself, I would like an opt-out rather than an opt-in. In the US and UK, users will be able to register as organ donors through their websites. I suggest Facebook be approached here to provide a similar service. The Taoiseach has a good relationship with the leader of Facebook and Sheryl Sandberg and has had many discusssions on bringing Facebook to Ireland. I ask him to approach Facebook and help the Irish Kidney Association. Last year it announced an organ donor card app for the iPhone and Android which allows users to make their intentions clear. As Facebook is used by most Members and widely across the country this would be an easy way to let everybody know one's intentions. Perhaps it could be done in an official capacity in Ireland as well as in the UK and US.