Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I have always respected Fr. Seán Healy but I am now concerned about his preaching on social justice. I ask him not to disappoint us because we have listened to his pre-budget briefings. Unless a new statement is issued I think we will never listen to them in the same way again. Is it another case of saying one thing and doing another?

I welcome the statement by Cardinal Seán Brady that the religious orders could do more, as well as Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's response. The initiatives taken by the Christian Brothers, the Oblate Order and the Sisters of Mercy are no more than is absolutely essential. The other 15 orders now need to speak out. As we know, the Vatican is rich. We must never forget the actions that have destroyed lives and caused death.

A memorial to mark abuse and a national day of atonement are good proposals. They would make it all right to talk about abuse and to acknowledge our history of shame. This, in itself, is a healing process. At the core of this there was too much submission to the religious authorities at the time. The State has a duty as the victims were betrayed by the State which handed them over to the religious orders, which in turn abused their powers and moral responsibility.

Reading the description by the ex-mayor of Clonmel, Mr. Michael O'Brien, I was outraged by the treatment he suffered at the hands of seven barristers questioning him in the commission. He said he attempted to commit suicide after that experience. Those of us who never experienced abuse cannot possibly understand what it is like or the sensitivity needed in dealing with such victims. At the core of this matter also is a perverted, unhealthy and abusive perception of sexuality, which was used as a means to dominate and silence children.

We need to address this matter as a nation, but I am by no means convinced that we have done so. In schools we have the Stay Safe programme and the Relationships and Sexuality Education, RSE, programme. I was one of those trainers and I know that we have always had difficulties in this area. Despite the earlier vision that every teacher would be an RSE educator, most schools now bring in an expert at the end of the senior classes because of teachers' difficulties in handling the subject matter. While the honesty of their position must be respected, the question remains as to whether this quick-fix injection on sexuality is an adequate way to convey a healthy view of relationships and sexuality. I am inclined to think it is not. I also accept, however, that parents have a responsibility in this regard.

It is clear that power corrupts. In this report, we see how both sexuality and violence were used as a means to abuse power. The sad fact is that it is still going on. The organisation One in Four did not get its name for nothing. Failure to act now will further compound our shame. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response to my recommendations on statutory guidelines, including mandatory reporting and constitutional safeguards for children, as well as the Government's commitment to timeframes for delivery. I ask the Minister to change the relevant date to the end of July so that the Houses will be sitting when the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, brings forward his implementation report.