Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree, but the critical question is whether bugging was carried out and, if so, by whom and for what purpose. That is the sinister question. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Transparency International and other groups have expressed grave concern about the reports. We only have reports at this stage; there is very little clarity as to what exactly went on. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's own statement is not clear on what exactly went on and suggests this was not the first occasion on which it believed it might have been subject to surveillance. Clearly, we need more information, but I would like us to have a debate in when we have a little more information.

I commend our colleagues in the other House, Deputies John Lyons and Jerry Buttimer, for speaking so frankly and openly last Thursday night on their experiences of discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, in other words, their experience of homophobia. I also commend our colleague, Senator David Norris, for speaking so eloquently about the matter on "The Late Late Show" on Friday night.

In the context of the ongoing debate on homophobia, I also commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who has turned down an invitation to attend the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York-----