Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Senator David Cullinane has raised very important and pertinent points and I look forward to the Minister's response.

It was somewhat unfortunate when the Bill was initially published, that the greatest part of the public debate and commentary associated with it was focused on the question of the seal of confession, as it became known. The Minister's contribution on Second Stage was very fair and balanced in this regard, but perhaps he might remind us once more of the status of the confessional seal, as he sees it, following the passage of this legislation. The public engagement with the Bill has mirrored the broader debate on the abuse of children within the Catholic Church following the publication in the past two or three years of such documents as the Ryan report which highlighted some of the horrific abuses that occurred in the past.

This legislation seeks to solve a problem and prevent similar problems in the future. Section 4 provides for a large number of what are opt-out provisions or special exemptions. I agree that these are necessary in respect of health care workers, GPs, social workers, psychologists and parents, where they see fit. On the other side of the equation, we have the seal of confession.