Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I attended the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting yesterday with many colleagues and used the opportunity to raise the Maíria Cahill case. We were addressed by Dr. Andrew Murrison, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office. The same day, the justice committee in Northern Ireland had Minister David Ford before it at the behest of the chairperson there, Mr. Paul Givan MLA. I welcome that on foot of that invitation the public prosecution services in Northern Ireland announced this morning that they will hold an independent inquiry. Mr. Givan sought a statutory inquiry and I put a question in that regard to Dr. Murrison yesterday. Nevertheless, I welcome the independent inquiry and wish to ensure that it will be into the three cases of alleged abuse in relation to the Maíria Cahill issue. There are probably other Maíria Cahills out there also.

I note Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for the full list to be submitted. It is very important as there are those who are not as courageous as Maíria Cahill. Everyone in the Oireachtas, particularly the women, must ensure that Ms Cahill is further supported. It is fine to have a public inquiry and a television programme, but matters cannot be left to rest there. I wish to ensure that we all keep shoulder to shoulder with Maíria Cahill until justice is done and seen to be done for her and everyone else. Everyone is equal under the law, politician or not.