I join colleagues in supporting Senator Jillian van Turnhout's call for a special debate on the issues highlighted last night in the "Prime Time" programme. I take exception, however, to Members seeking to use this issue as a political platform. To claim that the individuals in question are abusing children because of cutbacks in the Health Service Executive is unacceptable. The problems highlighted have absolutely nothing to do with funding and it is despicable to make that connection.

It is about the lack of inspections.

The abuse of children is a personal choice. The individuals who engaged in the mistreatment highlighted did not do so because they were not being paid enough or because State funding for these facilities was insufficient.

What about the lack of inspections?

Moreover, this is not a problem that emerged yesterday or last week. The abuse and mistreatment of children have been ongoing for generations in different institutions.

Does the Senator have a question for the Deputy Leader?

I support Senator van Turnhout, but I call on Members not to use this as a political football today. They are saying that because we do not have funding and because of funding cutbacks in the HSE it gives people an excuse to abuse children.

It is a political forum.

People do not have any excuse to abuse a child at any level for any reason at any time either financially or for any other reason and Members should be aware of that.

That is true.