Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for arranging a debate for later this evening on the mother and baby homes, given the general welcome all Members gave to yesterday’s announcement by the Government on the establishment of a commission of investigation into the matter, following the interdepartmental scoping exercise carried out. No doubt, this will be just the first of several debates on this, given there will be a commission of investigation into the matter.

I congratulate Senator Zappone on the Second Stage passage of her Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014 yesterday with the Government’s support. I was delighted and privileged to second the Bill which seeks to end discrimination against persons with intellectual disabilities in respect of sexual offence provisions. In particular, it seeks to amend the crude provisions of section 5 of the 1993 sexual offences Act which all Members agree is outdated in its paternalistic approach to the matter. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, indicated she would be incorporating the principles of Senator Zappone’s Bill into the Government’s sexual offence Bill which is currently being drafted. Yesterday was a good day for the Seanad.

Will the Leader organise a debate in due course into the Mr. Justice Cooke’s report into the GSOC, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, bugging allegations? It is important we all have a chance to read and digest the report. It certainly contradicts what was presumed in many quarters to have taken place. The ICCL, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, has already criticised the report but I would welcome a considered debate on it and its findings. I note Mr. Justice Cooke has made different findings in respect of some of the conclusions which were jumped to about technical issues around the presence of what appeared at first to be bugging devices or attempts.