Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the swimming pool issue, the Senator might get a reply more quickly by means of a Commencement matter. It might be better for her to table such a matter but I will also take it up with the Minister on the Senator's behalf.

On Senator Feighan's point, I commend the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly on its work. I know the Leas-Chathaoirleach is a member. It is a very important committee. On the remarks of the Senator and of Senator Conway-Walsh, we had a debate last week on Northern Ireland with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, but it is an issue which we may need to debate further and I will be happy to try to facilitate that.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of restricting travel for those known to be sex offenders. That is an issue on which we should listen to the voice of Fr. Shay Cullen, who has been a champion of the rights of victims. We must take note of anything he says. There is merit in his suggestion, which the Senator put forward this morning, and I would be happy to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, come to the House in that regard. I am not sure what is the Government's response to the Senator's point. I have not seen anything on the issue in terms of communication from Government, but it is a debate which we need to have, while having regard to the constitutionality of any proposed measures. Anything which can be done to prevent offences being perpetrated on vulnerable young people should be considered. There can be no place in society for evil. We should certainly take note of what Fr. Cullen has suggested.