Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Senator to hold off until I know. If I can I will have him in the House today and, if not, tomorrow.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also raised the issue of sex abuse and the recent public concerns around Maíria Cahill and her assertions, comments and statements on what happened to her and the cover up of the abuse she had suffered by senior figures in Sinn Féin-IRA. Like others I want to be sensitive about this. Senators O'Brien and van Turnhout were sensitive in their contributions on this matter. It is unfortunate that Senator Cullinane responded in such an aggressive manner in politicising it. I want to be fair. I was on "Prime Time" last night on the issue. I spoke passionately about it and as a practitioner I have represented Survivors of Abuse before the redress board. I know how much it costs people to come forward and make these disclosures and then to be treated in a way that is distrustful or disrespectful is appalling in any institution or in any position of power.