Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House today. I will start by congratulating Senator Flynn on the introduction of her first Bill. As a fellow new Senator, I know of the honour it is to introduce and discuss one’s first Bill. Today, I am sure, is a day on which Senator Flynn can be justifiably proud. In introducing her first Bill, Senator Flynn addresses serious outdated terminology in our Statute Books that have become associated with a dreadful and awful crime. As a parent, and there are many parents in the House today, this is a nightmare scenario that many of us cannot even contemplate. That is why it needs to be called out for exactly what it is. I welcome the fact that Senator Flynn has introduced this today. As Senator Flynn stated, this is exploitation and it should be described as such and simply as that. Referring to it as “child pornography”, as other colleagues have said, implies a level of consent that does not and can never exist, in my opinion. It fails to recognise the disgusting harm to the victims and the inherent trauma perpetrated against them. It is simply that. It is harm and it is perpetrated against them. The term “child abuse” is correct and allows for more accurate reporting, especially in our media. That is an important part of what Senator Flynn is trying to introduce today. That is where it needs to start. That is where this conversation needs to happen. I am sure that this is one reason Senator Flynn has proposed such legislation today. It also correctly places the perpetrators of this abuse in the category of child abusers, where they rightly belong.

As Senator Flynn says, language is important. Other colleagues have said that as well. In supporting the Bill, it is important that the current language, which is outdated and incorrect, is replaced. it is simply exploitation. It is simply abuse. That is what it is. It needs to be changed. In supporting Senator Flynn today, I welcome her bringing forward of this important Bill forward and I look forward to discussing it further as it progresses through the House.