Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of our guests for coming here today and sharing their knowledge and insights with the committee. This is an issue of fundamental importance. I thank them for their words in respect of it. I commend our guests on all of their efforts to support survivors and family members over a long number of years. For many years, nobody listened to their voices. However, I am of the view that the situation has changed in recent years and that the Government is listening. As a former member of Government, I know it is very difficult to meet everybody's needs. I respect the work that the witnesses are putting in and have put in for many years. They have given a huge amount of survivors a chance to continue with their lives because I have no doubt that survivors, for many years, have left this life as a result of not being able to deal with the situation. The organisations represented here have given survivors hope to carry on. They should be very proud of that work. One of the organisations that I am most familiar with is One in Four because of sexual abuse in the church - in my own diocese and right across the country. One in Four is the organisation that I am most connected with. I would have known an awful lot of people who would have contacted the organisation. I appreciate the work done by all of the organisations. I am sure that members concur with what I have said.