Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The Ferns Report made for some very disturbing reading because it detailed the stark reality of the abuse suffered by children and young people and the lack of support and assistance they received at their time of greatest need. The witnesses who came forward to help the inquiry showed the strength of character and courage which has also been evident to all of us who have met survivors of abuse over the years. I register my sincere thanks and appreciation to them for without their bearing witness, the report could not have reached its findings.

It is clear from the report of the Ferns inquiry that there was a general failure to recognise the terrible hurt and damage that child sexual abuse can and does cause to the victims and their families, and that prompt and effective action was not taken for many years to protect vulnerable children. As a society, we must learn from the mistakes of the past and never allow such events happen again.

In addition to increasing public awareness and understanding of the horror of child sexual abuse, the Ferns Report provides practical and far-reaching recommendations to strengthen child protection measures in organisations working with children and to ensure a speedy and effective response to allegations of abuse. The Government has accepted the report's recommendations in principle and is committed to their implementation by Departments and relevant agencies. My Department will participate fully in the implementation process which is being driven by the National Children's Office under the leadership of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

Protecting the child is the fundamental imperative of this process, and ensuring this requires the full engagement of Government, church and the community. Our educational institutions and policies have a key role to play. Our approach to child abuse has changed significantly over the past 15 years. In education, we have brought in child protection guidelines for primary and post-primary schools and clearly defined procedures for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse. We have also sought to raise awareness of the issue in the curriculum through social, personal and health education and the Stay Safe programme. The commitment to implement the recommendations of the Ferns Report will contribute to the further strengthening of child protection measures.

See this speech in context