David Norris (Independent)

I commend Senator Coghlan on reminding us that today is International Day against Homophobia. This is recognised in 100 countries and by the United Nations. This year's theme is homophobic and transphobic bullying. I advise my colleagues to read an excellent article in today's edition of The Irish Times by Michael Barron, who wrote: "To truly end homophobic and transphobic bullying we need to effect structural changes in curriculum, policy, support services and teaching practice which will enable a cultural shift in how we educate young people." I contrast this with a disgraceful article in Alive, a newspaper which is distributed in Roman Catholic churches throughout the country. A column entitled "Editor's Jottings" attacked any attempt to protect young gay people, arguing that such attempts will lead to further bullying and suggesting that those who try to protect vulnerable young people want to increase victimhood for their own purposes. I call for this to be withdrawn. The editorial is unsigned but one of the newspaper's correspondents, Senator Mullen, sits almost next to me and may know the identity of the editor. The editorial states that the attempt to protect young gay people "raises serious questions about any specific campaign to end bullying of these children...For example, if the children are being turned into a target, we may wonder if the real aim here is not to actually increase the bullying, to produce more "victims" and more "concern"".

This is a disgusting and repulsive accusation but it fits into the reaction that ensued when people like Joe O'Toole and I tried to develop a programme to protect children from inappropriate behaviour.