Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I join with previous speakers in acknowledging the courage of many individuals who came forward to tell their stories and who are responsible for this report. I refer to people like Mary Norris, who was institutionalised with her sisters and brothers because her widowed mother formed a relationship with a local man. People like her had the courage to come forward and reveal to us the system that destroyed their lives.

This report represents a darker side of Irish life which many people in authority knew existed but decided to ignore. Within the institutions there was a culture of silence and outside them there was a culture of indifference. In most cases the children were placed in these institutions because of unfortunate family circumstances and, through no fault of their own, were subject to, in the words of Cardinal Brady, "a shameful catalogue of cruelty: neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children" in the name of Jesus Christ. Their plight was ignored by those responsible for their welfare such as the Departments of Education, Health, Justice and society in general. The report shows clearly, as many speakers have stated, that sexual abuse was endemic especially in boys institutions. As Deputy Enright noted, the report states that perpetrators of abuse were able to operate undetected for long periods at the core of institutions. Cases of sexual abuse were managed with a view to minimising the risk of public disclosure and consequent damage to the institution and the congregation. This policy resulted in the protection of the perpetrator.

The House and the country will be judged by the way in which we respond to the report. Although there are recommendations in the report, I would prefer if they were stronger. However, if we implement the recommendations suggested, we will have made some progress and, at least, we could say to the people who have endured such hurt and pain that we were responsible for changing the system, opening up the entire issue to the public and ensuring the same does not happen to others. The recommendations are fairly comprehensive in general and the recommendation on independent inspections is essential. However, I see no reference to a greater inter-agency, cross-departmental approach. Child care is not simply the responsibility of the HSE alone, but that of many Departments and there must be more of an inter-agency cross-departmental approach. I recall the former Minister of State, Mr. Austin Currie, was assigned roles related to several Departments to co-ordinate this approach.

A very comprehensive overview and review of child care services throughout the country was published today in The Irish Examiner by Jennifer Hough, who obviously went to immense trouble to put it together and it is worth examining. In County Kerry there are remarkable gaps in the provision of child care services and it is no wonder, apart from this discussion concerning our institutions, that gaps remain. If we are to be really committed to our children, we must consider the gaps throughout the country in protection services, foster care, residential care, including high support, and in search and reunion services.

An individual admitted to an institution in Tralee some 70 years ago is trying to trace her family. She has made remarkable efforts to trace her family and relatives. She was born in Tralee but is unable to make any progress because she cannot get information from either the religious orders, the HSE or any other source. Such cases and those of others placed in institutions should be reviewed and every effort should be made to facilitate these people in tracking their families. They should be helped in every possible way.

As with other speakers, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the report. I congratulate Mr. Justice Ryan on the report, which is most comprehensive, laid out in very simple language and accessible for all people. Everyone in the country should read the report, as there is a message for everyone. It should be distributed throughout the education system and should be made accessible to anyone who wishes to read it because there is a lesson here for all of us.

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