Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence have been for many years seeking a ban on counselling notes being used in trials because it is so traumatising and damaging. This weekend, Jacqueline Connolly, the sister of Clodagh Hawe, who was murdered along with her children by her husband, spoke about a priest who pleaded confessional privilege who had vital information relating to those crimes but was able to not give that information by the laws of the State. We have a situation where victims of gender-based violence can have their therapy notes seized but somebody who has information about a serious crime, if a priest, can keep it all secret. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice favour ending this practice. They have said so in the past. Next week, survivors of gender-based violence are due to meet the Minister.

Thank you, Deputy.

We need an end to this practice, not to leave it in the hands of a judge.

The Taoiseach to respond.

The mere fact-----

Thank you, Deputy. The Taoiseach to respond.

-----one's counselling notes can be seized is what is traumatic and damaging.

Deputies, you have got to prepare within your time or we are not going to fit everybody in.

I am just finishing the sentence.

The Taoiseach to respond.

I was interrupted because they were all talking during it.

But that is their prerogative, Deputy.

I was not sure if the Taoiseach could hear me, so I stopped.

I heard the Deputy. The Deputy may be aware that the Minister has brought the heads of the Bill in respect of the issue of counselling notes.

And it is not good enough. It is not ending the practice. It is just-----

The Deputy is not prepared to listen to the answer.

The Deputy has raised the issue. The Minister has brought legislation. It will go to pre-legislative scrutiny and people will have an opportunity to input into the Bill. The Minister is acting on it, and has acted on it, and no person in this country is above the law.

But they clearly are.