Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity. My response should be self-evident. I welcome Senators' comments. This has been an interesting debate and has sent a clear message about the House's opinions on this issue as well as on the importance of protecting childhood in the broadest sense. It was relatively recent in our history that we started valuing childhood. It would be a shame to see it lost so quickly. As Senator van Turnhout stated, Ireland has an opportunity to send out a clear message about our opinions on beauty pageants.

Senator after Senator outlined their opinions on this issue. They made it clear that they view the child beauty pageant business as unacceptable. We should make Ireland a cold place for beauty pageants. The US research has been cited. Subjecting young girls to beauty pageants can destroy their self-esteem, make their adult lives more difficult and lead to anorexia and serious problems in their psychological development. We live in quite a sexist society. We want to protect young girls and boys from premature sexualisation. Sending out a strong and clear message from the House will make an important statement. I hope it can be taken seriously by the media and society as they take note of the debate.

We all know that there is a great deal of pressure on parents that can be difficult to resist. That Senator van Turnhout, many of her colleagues and Deputies and I spoke out about beauty pageants when they tried to start in Ireland provided support to parents, in that they did not feel alone in their opinions on this matter. Parents can feel isolated. It is important that we pull back the curtain and give them more support in expressing their opinions and taking action. Various routes have been suggested by Senators.

The research will be helpful. I understand that the French legislation has run into difficulties, but we will follow that situation with interest and review other countries' initiatives. Legislating for this can prove difficult. At one extreme - some might not consider it extreme - this can be considered a child protection issue. Senator Leyden referred to a case in the US in which a mother using botox inappropriately on a young child was regarded as a child protection issue. At the extreme, this is clearly a child protection issue, although some Senators have expressed their opinion that it is a child protection issue right along the continuum. That would be an interesting topic for debate.

Even if we approach this matter via legislation, a great deal can be done in the pre-legislative phase in terms of information, education and support from all of the stakeholders, as Senator van Turnhout stated in her opening remarks. Many stakeholders in the community must be clear about their opinions on this topic.

I am pleased that the Seanad is giving out such a strong and clear message. I hope that this debate will be followed by initiatives undertaken by the many players in this field. We can never underestimate the power of having a debate such as this one and being clear in our views.