Táim chun glaoch arís ar an gCeannaire maidir le cúrsaí baint móna mar sílim go bhfuil sé fíor thábhachtach go mbeadh díospóireacht againn.

I called for a debate on turf cutting on a number of occasions. I note the statement of Senator Whelan which I feel was very one-sided and ill thought through. It is very strange, as he stood on a stage in Camross before the budget and said he would defend turf cutters to the end. This is a very big issue. The Leader told me he thinks the law is very clear on this issue but I do not agree, with all due respect.

I bothered to go to the Commission and meet the assistant commissioner on this issue in an effort to seek a resolution. We were told by the assistant commissioner in Brussels that the basis for any resolution of the issue was in the TCCA's proposals on the 53 raised bogs in the State. Since then the Department has not engaged with the TCCA. There have been stand offs and there will be more.

The turbary, property and constitutional rights people have to cut turf are not clear in terms of designations. We need to have a debate with the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, in a very measured way in order that we can tease these issues out. If the Minister is wrong there could be a massive bill for the State if the matter ends up in the courts. None of us want to see that happen. We all want a proper resolution. I again call on the Leader to ask the Minister to come before the House in order that we can tease out these issues.

I draw attention to the publication yesterday of the independent review on child neglect cases in Roscommon, Waterford and south Dublin and express my concern at some of the findings. It was reported children were left without a social worker despite reports of neglect. Some 96 cases were reviewed involving more than 300 children. I find it alarming that only 45 out of the 96 cases were deemed to have adequate safeguards in place. Further intervention was found to be required in 29 cases and 17 required immediate action.

It is extremely worrying that the report found official reports compiled by social workers were not sufficiently evidence based and concerns expressed by teachers and communications with parents were not taken into consideration. I hope recommendations for better safeguards for children and greater interdepartmental communication and dialogue with the Judiciary on legal interventions to protect these children will be taken into consideration.

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come before the House. This is a very serious issue. At a time when we are all concerned about children and child protection the Minister should come here to answer questions on the HSE response to the findings and why the report was published yesterday despite being completed in April 2012.

It is still the practice of the House, under protection of the Chair, not to cite, name someone or make accusations against someone who is not present in the Chamber and who has no right to reply. I have been grossly wrongly represented by Senator Ó Clochartaigh who made an accusation that I went to a public meeting in Camross and said I would defend people to the death. No such meeting took place.

I did not hear what Senator Ó Clochartaigh said. The record of the House speaks for itself.

I mean no disrespect to the Cathaoirleach but I would like to correct the record. I am sorry to interrupt but when someone's back is turned that is not good parliamentary practice.