Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)

Some of the issues to which I wished to refer have already been discussed. As a result, I will not detain the House too long. The primary purpose of the Bill is to close an existing loophole in the law. Many of the previous speakers referred to the Ryan, Murphy and Cloyne reports. There is no doubt that these contain a litany of shocking revelations in respect of the sexual abuse of children and the failure to respond to such abuse. As the Minister stated, "It is clear from these revelations ... that if those who had knowledge in the past of sexual offences committed against children had informed the Garda, many children who subsequently became the victims of abuse may have been protected from clerical sexual predators."

Under the Bill, it will be an offence to fail, without reasonable excuse, to disclose information to the Garda. What will be the nature of such excuses? In that context, the Minister referred to "information concerning certain serious criminal offences where such offences are committed against a child or a vulnerable adult".

Senators van Turnhout and Keane referred to the national statistics. It is startling to think that 80% of child sexual abuse is committed in people's homes. I refer here to abuse carried out by family members, friends and neighbours. That is unbelievable. Ireland used to be called the island of saints and scholars - I do not know who bestowed that name upon it - until we were found out. The sexual abuse and violence report, which I read in recent days, indicates that one in five people have suffered some form of sexual abuse. That is an incredible statistic. The report also indicates that 50% of those who are abused do not tell anyone. Imagine how troubled some of these individuals might be.

Perhaps the Minister might be in a position to clarify something for me. I recently read about a former priest who is 61 years of age, who has been laicised and who sexually abused two young boys of 12 years of age some 31 or 32 years ago. In recent weeks, this man was sentenced to 18 months in prison. As far as I am concerned, the sentence should have been ten times as long. For legal reasons, the former priest in question could not be named. I can understand why the young boys concerned could not be named. However, why is it not possible to name and shame predators such as the individual to whom I refer? I would encourage the 50% of people who have been sexually abused and who have not revealed that fact to anyone to come forward and name those who violated or raped them many years ago. They should clear their consciences by telling their stories. I am alarmed that this number of people have not told anyone about what happened to them. I cannot imagine how these individuals must feel at certain times.