Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I commend Mr. Justice Frank Murphy and the team who carried out the inquiry and compiled the report. On reading the report, it is obvious that much hard work, sweat, discussion, interviewing and reporting went into it and it is a very fine piece of work. I also commend the victims who came forward and had the courage to tell their stories because the stories they told are harrowing and saddening, both for them and their families.

It saddens me to speak on this subject. I come from the diocese of Ferns and I know, or know of, many of the victims. I also know some of those who carried out the abuse and this is very upsetting for their families too.

The Ferns Report outlines exactly what happened. The truth is in this report. As we have seen, there was a culture of secrecy that protected the abusers in the diocese of Ferns for many years. I have no doubt that secrecy about many other abusers exists in many other dioceses, not just within the church but also outside it. No child should feel unable to report anything that has happened to them. It is difficult for a child to come forward and report any type of abuse.

One story in the report relates to Vincent who decided to travel to Rosslare in Wexford at the age of 17 or 18 to find summer work. He arrived in Wexford by bus on Friday evening in the late 1980s and was looking for directions to a youth hostel. He noticed a priest, who turned out to be Fr. Seán Fortune, standing on the pavement. He trusted Fr. Fortune like he would a garda or any citizen because the priest was an upstanding man in the community. People should read about how Vincent was treated over that weekend, after which he was given money for his return bus fare. However, it was only when he saw the programme "Suing the Pope" that he told his story. This is one of many stories of young people and people in their late teens trusting an upstanding man in the community. On seeing the programme, it took courage for this man to report the incident. Any child or teenager who has been abused and who may now be in their 20s or 30s should come forward and report any incident because without their courage and strength, we would not be debating this report this evening.

While there are many fine organisations working in the field of child abuse, there is huge confusion at present in regard to reporting of abuse. For example, there are currently in the region of 17 organisations offering services to victims of abuse. The Government set up the commission to inquire into child abuse, which I welcome. There is also the Residential Institutions Redress Board, the National Office for Victims of Abuse, Comhar, the national counselling service operated by the Health Service Executive and many voluntary groups, such as the Samaritans, One in Four and so on. These organisations are doing excellent work in trying to help victims of child sexual abuse. However, we could improve the situation for them if there was one central organisation, which was funded by the Government, instead of one group looking for funding of €70,000 and another looking for funding of €100,000 just to remain in existence.

A central organisation should be set up which would have a helpline number like the ambulance service or the Garda. There should be a helpline number such as 999 or 111 and when a child rings up, he or she should be treated with the utmost respect, urgency, integrity and professionalism. I am not saying that the existing organisations are not dealing with child sexual abuse issues in a professional manner, they are doing so. However, as we have seen from the Ferns Report, people were afraid to report incidents. Some people did not even know where to go to report an incident. I call on the Minister to investigate the matter and come to some conclusions because he has the back-up to do so. This service should be funded and advertised in schools, on billboards, etc., so that every child is aware of how to report these incidents. If one asked children in primary school the number for the fire brigade, ambulance service or Garda, they would all know that it is 999. They should also be aware of a number to call if they are being abused.

Other countries such as the UK have many fine organisations. I refer here to Childline. These services can be very successful if they are provided with a helpline. I have no doubt that if such a service is well advertised, children and victims will know where to go. Mr. Justice Murphy made a similar recommendation in his report. He also noted the reluctance of some of the victims to report incidents to the authorities. People think that if they go to the Garda, the health service or wherever, everyone will know what has happened. The service will work if it is operated in a professional manner. The report also notes the efforts being made to reduce this reluctance by enhancing public confidence in the reporting and investigative system. I believe the public will have confidence in such a service. People will have the confidence to pick up the phone and speak to someone.

I ask the Minister to take note of what has been said. I compliment Bishop Eamonn Walsh, the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Ferns, who has done excellent work in the diocese. I have no doubt he will ensure that the Ferns Report and the church's recommendations will be implemented fully. He has done great work in child protection in County Wexford in setting up a group within the church, for which he must be complimented.

The people of Wexford want to move on from here. They will continue to give the excellent church leaders, including priests and those who carry out pastoral duties, 100% support. I call on the people of Wexford to continue that support for the priests of the diocese because there are some excellent priests in the diocese. Again, I empathise and sympathise with the victims referred to in the report. We would not have this report if they had not come forward.

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