Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by supporting Senator O'Brien's request for a debate on child abuse. This is something that is better discussed in the open. It is something that unfortunately I know too much about, being from County Wexford and from the diocese of Ferns. The natural instinct for every institution is to cover it up. That is always the wrong thing to do. I support the call for the Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, whomever is the appropriate Minister, to come to the House and for that debate to be held. It could be worthwhile for us to do so.

Water is the issue of the moment, there is no question about that. I am a little perplexed at the fact that we are looking at a net figure for water of €175 million. This is on top of other charges and on top of the pain that has come previously but, as Senator O'Brien has discussed on many occasions, the VAT reduction to 9% for the hospitality sector was paid for out of people's pensions. That amount of money was multiple times the amount that will be taken for water but it got no coverage. Fine Gael did say before the general election that we intended to do that which, again, Senator O'Brien has acknowledged on a number of occasions in the past. However, I am amazed and perplexed at how an amount of money several times more than that required for water can be taken per annum with no conversation whatsoever about it.

I also wish to raise the issue of the desecration of the grave of a former Taoiseach of this country, Mr. W.T. Cosgrave. Not alone was he Taoiseach, but his son was also a Taoiseach and his grandson was a Member of this Chamber, formerly Cathaoirleach, and also a Member of the Dáil. I cannot condemn this enough. It is disgusting and scandalous that anybody would do that to anybody's grave.