Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that thoughtful contribution by Senator Casey. There is much on which I agree with him. It emphasises the frustration of those of us on this side of the House. The requests that are being made are very reasonable. We are asking the Government to prepare a report. It is very disappointing that, recommendation after recommendation, the Minister of State is refusing to engage in terms of taking on these reports. To be frank, it strikes far too conservative a tone. What is the Minister of State afraid of in the context of the recommendation tabled by Senator Higgins? What is he afraid we will find out from that report? There is a problem in this area, as has been acknowledged by his party colleague. All Members know there are problems in this area. What is the fear of preparing a report such as this? I cannot see what there is to fear. What do we have to fear from information? Surely we need more information on this issue. The Government should do more in this area. It has an opportunity to do so.