Much has been said about the swimming coach, George Gibney, in the past 24 hours. It would not be appropriate for me to go into too much comment. Suffice to say, and to share with the House, that I went to school in Newpark, where George Gibney operated from. It is hard to believe that I am here today 50 years on, having shared my time in that school with boys and girls who were the subject of many of the allegations against George Gibney.

There are many questions to be asked about Gibney and how he stayed outside this State and evaded justice for so long, and how it took so long for any bilateral negotiations or agreements in relation to his extradition from the US. I have discussed this privately with many senior people in various Governments as long as I have been in politics, and that is many a year.

What I can say today, however, is that swimming coach George Gibney will be sentenced in the Criminal Courts of Justice on 29 July 2026. I want to, first, acknowledge the very significant and brave people who went forward - it is never an easy thing to do - both privately and publicly, and gave agency and strength to make the events of yesterday eventually happen. It was a very emotional day for all involved.

I want to say "Thank you" to a few people before I conclude. There will be another opportunity at a more appropriate place and time for me to give voice to some of these issues. I want to single out the remarkable Justine McCarthy of The Irish Times. Many Senators may have read her book, Deep Deception. If they have not, I suggest they do so. The relentless investigation that Ms McCarthy conducted in her book to bring George Gibney, Derry O'Rourke, Ger Doyle and other abusers to justice played a very significant part in many coming forward to speak. To Justine McCarthy, we are truly indebted.

I thank Gary O'Toole, a friend of mine, a doctor and a very successful person, who was also involved in swimming and subject to involvement on the periphery of many of these issues.

I will finish in two seconds but I want to thank him for giving courage, voice, strength and support to so many people in their journeys. I thank Johnny Watterson of The Irish Times, whom many will know. He has been a constant champion for years, even when that was not easy. I thank him for his involvement in these issues. I also thank the production company, Second Captains, which produced a ten-part podcast in conjunction with the BBC titled "Where is George Gibney?" We know where he is now but it has taken many years for him to get there. These individuals and organisations, including RTÉ, which I do not want to forget because it did remarkable work over all of those years, acted as a catalyst for people to come forward, share their stories and assist in bringing George Gibney to justice. I will conclude but, as I said before, there are many outstanding questions. There are many more issues to come to light. Much of that will now happen because of the justice process but we must allow that process to go forward.

Everyone here in our Parliament brings their unique life experiences to their work. That is what motivates us. That is what politicises us. I will finish on this. Before I journeyed in here this morning, I went to that very school. Little did I think going from that gate to my own home and back again that I would travel from that gate this morning to here, 50 years on, and tell the story. I am glad I have been able to do so. I am glad to have had this opportunity to be an advocate, as I have been every day I have been here, because a key function of ours is to be advocates, voices, encouragers and supporters for people who wish to tell their stories and share their journeys.