Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I did not think I would get in but I am delighted to speak on the Bill today. This is a difficult and trying issue on which we have around the Houses, with investigations over the decades. I have often said how sad it was that people were put into these homes. To hear the stories related today in the Chamber is also sad.

I had a lovely neighbour who I will call Peig. She lived less than a kilometre from where I was born but I never knew she existed until her late brother had a stroke and she arrived back to mind him. They are all deceased now, God rest them. I never knew she was part of the family. So many families, though not that family, in towns, in the country and in cities had people who were put into these homes. The things that happened have been well aired and extrapolated, some of them of an horrific and cruel nature but also some very kind things as well. We cannot comprehend it in this day and age.

This did not happen in isolation. The State, the church and families were involved. We can never forget that families had their family members put into these institutions, knowingly and willingly. We can never forget that. It would be wrong to forget it because it happened, and very often. They were very different times, obviously, compared to today. Having learned so much from the past, there is so much that we have failed to learn as well. There are still many injustices. Children go missing in State care under the care of Tusla.

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