Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, the State and all our citizens, I reiterate the sincere apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, detect their pain or come to their rescue. The report of the commission confronts the stark reality of what was a systemic abuse of children, which is a blight on the face of this country and its history. I hope the House can, through the Whips, come forward with a united motion that would enable us in our two-day debate to discuss the matter on an agreed basis. That should be attempted in any event.

With regard to what has been said, a special Cabinet meeting will take place this evening to seek to address all relevant aspects of this case and begin our detailed consideration of what is a voluminous report of over 2,500 pages. The executive summary alone in its reading exemplifies and sets out in a very graphic fashion the horrendous and harrowing nature of the experiences of so many who were in institutional care but who were obviously betrayed in terms of the trust bestowed on those acting on behalf of the State in regard to their benefit and care.

There was a contribution through the agreement reached and there is a very strong sense in this community and throughout the country - it has been exemplified and articulated by some eminent church men - that the moral responsibility in respect of these matters, which have been brought in such graphic detail to public attention, remains with all of us and with those congregations which had the responsibility for caring for these children in institutions. They clearly failed in that duty of care and the State also has its culpability in failing in its duty of care.

That moral responsibility extends to doing everything possible to ensure a contribution commensurate in some way - it will not be adequate - to the terrible harm done to so many people should be forthcoming. The Government will discuss this evening in what way we can give further voice to that and ways to ensure that further contribution is made in respect of both the redress scheme and continuing care and welfare of survivors, along with the lessons which need to be learned for the future.

It is the legal advice before Government that it is not possible to reopen that agreement. That in no way hinders additional voluntary contributions being made by those congregations as an indication of the sincerity of their position as a result of the graphic and horrendous details which form the central part of this report.

See this speech in context