David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to support Senator van Turnhout's call for a debate on the Children First Bill, which, as she said, has been stalled on Committee Stage for some time. We supported that Bill when it was passing through this House and the Dáil on Second Stage. It is important it is completed because we need to have robust and fit-for-purpose systems and supports for victims of crime.

Senator van Turnhout raised it in the context of the Maria Cahill case, which is obviously now in the public domain. I wanted to take the opportunity to make a number of points in that regard. A Senator in this House asked me five minutes ago whether I would condemn what she perceived was a Sinn Féin cover-up of abuse. I resent that absolutely and completely. In fact, I find it offensive that anybody would believe that I or any member of my party would be involved in a cover-up of abuse.