Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments of my colleague from my Dundalk. Yesterday, I met the Garda superintendent for the town who conveyed his thanks and appreciation to the people of Dundalk for their support following the brutal murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. He referred to the sense of community spirit that was exhibited throughout the weeks after the incident and how diligently the force is working to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime. I was shocked when he described cases of robbery and attacks and he mentioned that two 14 year old children were before the court yesterday in the town. When the Minister for Justice and Equality comes to the House, perhaps we can examine what we can do to combat the increasing incidence of juvenile crime, which is happening all over the country.

I echo Senator Coghlan's comments about the shock resignation of Pope Benedict yesterday. While it was courageous of him to admit his frailty and humanity and that he is not in a position to carry out his duties any longer, and many people feel he did not have the charisma and likability factor of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II enjoyed, he showed a personal commitment to the role and he worked tirelessly for world peace, as Senator Coghlan said.

However, his successor is taking over the Catholic Church at an extremely difficult time while the church is still reeling from the many clerical child abuse cases that have been brought to light in recent years. I hope his successor will, perhaps, look at the role of lay people and women in the church as I consider they will be important in leading the Catholic Church in future years.