The story of Ms Maíria Cahill is one that has generated enormous interest on the island, created a lot of anger and touched many. We have held strong and comprehensive debates in this House on the issue of sex abuse perpetrated by institutions, such as the Catholic Church and others. There was the Ferns inquiry and the Cloyne diocese and Dublin archdiocese reports, and these were discussed in the House, even though in some instances the abuse was carried out informally and not under State control. The Oireachtas rightly found it necessary to debate these issues, and strong statements were made about how the institutions in question protected the perpetrators and denied justice to the victims.

Where are we going with this?

In my view, the issue of Ms Maíria Cahill is similar and merits a debate in the House. Will the Government make time available over the next week or so to facilitate such a debate?

On the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill, politicians in Northern Ireland have approved sex buyer laws, that is, laws to deal with those who purchase sex and thereby facilitate the trafficking. We need to make a swift response to that. The former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, indicated he would introduce legislation-----

Tá sé imithe.

-----in essence, to deal with the trafficking into the country of women who are exploited in brothels and by pimps. The stories have been horrendous. Ruhama, along with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, has led the charge on this issue, and survivors of prostitution continue to make the case for a sex buyer law in this country.

We cannot debate the matter now.

Can the Taoiseach confirm when that legislation will be introduced into the House because it has been promised by the Government?

The criminal justice (sexual offences) Bill is due for this session. The health insurance (amendment) Bill is also due in this session.

I note Deputy Martin's comments in respect of Ms Maíria Cahill. I expect to meet Ms Cahill tomorrow and look forward to that. This is a quite horrific case and, given her comments, it is clearly of personal and general interest. I would prefer to wait until I speak to her to hear what she has to say or what questions she needs answered. It might be appropriate if the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality were to consider inviting to attend at the committee those who might have something to say that might be relevant in this matter, and I will communicate that with the Chairman, Deputy Stanton.

Can I make it clear that I have no objections, nor should anyone, to the Oireachtas looking at any allegations of abuse of any kind, especially child abuse? The Fianna Fáil leader and the Taoiseach have made grievous accusations against me that I reject utterly. Neither the Taoiseach nor the leader of Fianna Fáil, who is sitting within feet of me, have ever come to me and asked for my version of these events.

We cannot debate the issue now.

I want to make it clear that there has been no cover-up, by me or by Sinn Féin, on this matter. The questions I want to raise-----

I do not accept that. I think there has been a cover-up.

Deputy Martin should resume his seat.

I make that charge here on the floor of the House.

I know Deputy Martin does.

I will not take any more of that stuff from Deputy Adams.

Deputy Martin should settle down. Would Deputy Adams put his point on the Order of Business?

Deputy Martin is playing politics with a deeply serious issue and he does not have the gumption to put it to me what my version of these matters is. It is disgraceful.

Deputy Adams is not the victim.