Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week in this House, I raised the issue of an allegation of an attack that took place in Phoenix Park. I acknowledge that the Garda has taken swift action in response to that. A number of organisations have been involved in supporting the young men at the centre of that attack. It is very important that an arrest has been made. I will make no further comment on it. However, it is important to point out that in recent days, I and others have received a serious amount of abuse on social media telling me that this did not happen and that it is all something that I made up.The fact that there is an arrest is clearly a demonstration that it is not the case but I acknowledge the work the Garda has done in identifying a suspect.

I am also increasingly disgusted by the behaviour of some Members, particularly the use of the Order of Business not for discussion, calling for debates or any advancing any kind of policy or anything like that but for personal mudslinging and the propagation of misinformation. Today in this House, one Member told us that there has essentially been an increase in sexual crime in this country because of migration. That is patently false. The Garda has said very clearly that there is no link between crime and people coming here seeking asylum. If we want to talk about it, let us talk about it but let us not propagate misinformation. Let us not either say in one breath that we respect the House, and at the same time talk down the Leas-Chathaoirleach when we are trying to make a point, instead of actually respecting the rules. An allegation was also made against the Minister in this House and an application was made to ask the speaker to withdraw that. However, the Chair seems to be more interested in telling people they cannot talk about the President than dealing with the fact that other Senators are abusing their positions in the House. It should not happen and it needs to be dealt with.