Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State. The 18 religious orders implicated in the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse ought to be ashamed of the awful treatment meted out to children in their care. There was rape, buggery, physical attacks, assaults, neglect and emotional exploitation. The term "child abuse" is not adequate to define what happened to these poor children. The scale of it is beyond belief, as is the fact that it was so pervasive and systemic. I found it very difficult to read this report on the monstrous behaviour by people in positions of authority and trust. It was perpetrated by so-called pillars of society. Those involved included the Christian Brothers, the Rosminians, the Presentation Brothers, the Brothers of Charity, the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Charity, the Dominican nuns, the Daughters of the Cross of Liège and others.

The victims were young boys and girls, the majority of whom were from poorer families. Special needs children were especially vulnerable. Children with impaired mobility and communication deficits were seen by the perpetrators as easy targets. Deaf, dumb and blind children were at a complete disadvantage. It happened in industrial and reformatory schools, children's homes, hospitals, national schools, secondary schools, day and residential special needs schools, foster care, laundries and hostels.

Many people were aware of it. Society, both official and unofficial, was aware of it and many people will now have to live with their conscience as to why they did or said nothing. I am talking about Government inspectors, gardaí, teachers, and general practitioners. Local people were employed in these places. Local businesses were supplying goods and services. Health boards, the Department of Education as it was known then, priests of the parishes, parents and relatives all had knowledge to a greater or lesser extent and no action was taken.

Of the 1,090 men and women who gave evidence, 90% reported physical abuse which was both casual and random. There were reports of flogging, kicking, scalding and burnings. Some children were held under water. Some 50% reported sexual abuse which consisted of rape, buggery, molestation and voyeurism. Neglect consisted of inadequate food, clothing, heating. There were also untreated injuries and medical conditions which continue to this day. Children were being starved and neglected.

Let us consider the emotional side. There was no attachment, affection or family contact. There was separation from siblings. Several children were told their parents were dead when in fact they were not. There was humiliation and constant criticism of children. All this is shocking stuff even to contemplate or imagine, let alone to read in the understanding it is fact.

There was utter failure on the part of the State through the then Department of Education which failed to monitor and control the units. It had a certification role in which it miserably failed. There were too few inspectors and the scope of the inspections was too limited. All inspections were announced in advance making it very easy to pass such inspections. The inspectors were aware of the abuse and the inadequate education that was being provided. They had ample legal powers which were never exercised. The Department never thought of changing the system. The main problem was that the Department and the inspectors showed too much deference to the religious congregations, thereby facilitating the abuse. Society as a whole showed too much deference to religious at the time. Thankfully that is changed a great deal today.

Many, but thankfully not all, the victims have had to carry the effects with them through adult life. Unfortunately, many did not survive to adult life. I knew some who fell into that category. There was poverty, social isolation, alcoholism, mental illness, sleep problems, self-harm and aggressive behaviour as a result. Many had relationship problems.

What are the lessons? It goes without saying that something like this cannot happen again. It must not be allowed to happen again. The disappointing thing about the whole period and episode is that standards, systems and guidelines were in place which, if implemented, could have prevented much of what is contained in the report. However, the systems, policies and management all failed the children. There was far too much deference to the authority of the Catholic church, as was apparent in many aspects of life in Ireland during the period these vile events were taking place.

Deference to anything or anyone must now be consigned to history. I know as a parent that recent generations, thankfully, are incapable of such deference. Children must now be put first and all supports for children must be properly resourced. All child care guidelines must be put on a statutory basis. There must be a legal responsibility to report abuse or even a suspicion of abuse. Where there is even a whisper of abuse, it must be reported. The State must never abdicate its responsibility to children again. Control measures must be put in place and adequately funded. Effective monitoring and audit systems are essential elements of all this. We must introduce whistleblower legislation as a matter of urgency. The need for that has been obvious for some time in other matters.

Deference to the church was a reality at the time and is the only possible explanation for the failure of the Department and its inspectors. That said, I cannot accept it as an excuse. There is ample evidence in the report that the religious congregations were aware of the problems in their institutions. It is unforgivable that it was allowed to continue. It appears their only motivation was to avoid scandal in order that they could maintain their elevated status in society at the time. While they were prepared to report lay persons to the Garda, they were not prepared to do the same if one of their own was perpetrating the abuse. Instead, they moved them around in the full knowledge that they would continue with their vile behaviour. The Ryan commission report contains ample evidence that this practice occurred. Whereas no regard was shown for the safety of children, protection was always provided for perpetrators at both local and diocesan level.

I compliment the witnesses on their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence to the commission. One can only imagine what they endured as children and in many cases continue to endure as adults, as we heard from Mr. Michael O'Brien on "Questions & Answers" on Monday night. I hope the victims get some relief now that their stories have been vindicated.

I urge the Government to implement the recommendations of the Ryan commission in full and as speedily as possible, irrespective of the cost. The Labour Party is of the view that the religious orders must accept responsibility for what took place and must pay more. For this reason, while proposals emerging from several of these institutions in recent days are to be welcomed, we must suspend judgment until we are clear on the details.

I congratulate Mr. Justice Sean Ryan on the fine work he and his team have carried out.