Ms Emily Logan:

Obviously I will not get into commenting on any individual but in terms of my observation of the UN hearing, we have to remember that it is ten years since that UN committee heard progress in regard to human rights in Ireland. I was watching the live feed and I was struck by the litany of abuses and the lack of accountability in the past of the State for societal and institutional practices that led to the widespread abuse, mistreatment and neglect of women and children. I am very familiar with that, as Ombudsman for Children. The session was much more shocking because it was a ten-year appraisal of what had gone on in Ireland. Generally speaking, people were disturbed, concerned and shocked at the violations of human rights and to have heard it expressed in a UN human rights committee was not just embarrassing. It was shocking as an Irish citizen, not just as chief commissioner, to hear about our demonstrable history and the way we have treated women and children.

I will not specifically comment about that individual but I will say that as a commission I assure Senator Mullen that we respect diversity of opinion in Ireland. We have diverse opinions as a commission. We have a healthy level of debate. The purpose of the commission is to respect and respond to the views expressed in Ireland. We will not ignore those views but we will adequately represent where there are differences. My view is that they should be adequately and publicly communicated.