Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Coming from Wexford, unfortunately, I know more than I would ever wish about abuse. The levels of abuse and depravity have shocked even the most indifferent. The response of the 18 religious orders has not lent any sense that the remorse is genuine. The line, peddled by some, is that some people are claiming to have been abused because they are in it for the money. There is nothing more distasteful for those who have been violated by these unholy men and women. How could any person in charge of children do the despicable things that were done? Truly people can be evil but at what stage did the authorities say, "Stop"? At what stage did the State accept its responsibility for its action or lack of action to prevent what took place over many decades? I thank those who were brave and who exposed the criminality of the evil ones. Doing so eventually ensured these appalling acts stopped and other children were no longer abused.

I cannot imagine the damage, physical, emotional or psychological to so many people. It is hard enough to become a fair minded, rounded, good person within a loving family environment. How hard it must have been to finally leave the hideous State and religious environment and to move on and develop and evolve as adults and form relationships with others?

As a parent with two young children I can only commit to giving every support to ensure this abuse never takes place again. The State has abdicated its responsibility towards its citizens because the deal between the State and the 18 religious orders is, perhaps, the most corrupt in the history of the State. Given the meeting of tribunals for decades that is quite a statement. I am not anti-religious for stating as much; quite the opposite. The deal flies in the face of all Christian values ever preached. It must be scrapped totally and, whatever the outcome, the religious orders must accept it.

As a result of the actions of these monsters the finest citizens in the country who volunteer for many organisations throughout the land are in fear of being with a child on their own. It is no longer politically correct. Whatever one does, one should not get caught with a child on one's own. These monsters have also damaged the future bonds between children and adults.

From time to time an image sticks in the mind. Yesterday, the image of so many people carrying small shoes will stay with many of us forever. The reason is those small shoes remind those of us who were not abused at what stage some children were first brutalised. I feel only shame for what has taken place. What can be done? The answer is to deliver justice for those violated. A criminal prosecution must take place for those who violated the young.

I refer to another matter of abuse, although not on the same scale as that referred to in the Ryan report. Nevertheless it is institutional abuse in our schools. Many exceptional members of the clergy have had a remarkable impact on children in sport, education and many other spheres. Sadly, evil flourishes when good men and women chose to do nothing. This silence enabled too many additional acts of violence and sexual abuse on children.

The current position ensures there is a gap between the State and the employer of teachers which continues the abdication of responsibility. The religious in our country have no confidence in the abilities of its flock. The vice grip upon the important decisions is nothing short of appalling. The structure of boards of management guarantees that the State is not liable and guarantees that the religious will maintain full control over important decisions. The Louise O'Keeffe case shows nothing has changed and that the Department still holds the mindset of keeping a gap between it and the people, and that if something takes place, someone else will be responsible. However, in the decades to come the State will be responsible.

The current entente between the unions, the Department of Education and Science, the Government and the religious must be amended. Allow the people freedom to participate in boards of management without shackles. Allow people of our country to decide on the vital issues within our schools. We must change the relationship between the State and the religious. It need not be cancelled but it must be changed and there must be a belief in the ability of the people to do the right thing.

My educational experiences are broad. I am a former chairman of Wexford Vocational Education Committee, a former member of the board of management of Gorey Community School, the largest school in Ireland, and a current member of the board of management of Ballythomas national school, which I attended as a child and which my children now attend. It is a school with fewer than 100 pupils. However, I have had a terrible experience with a national school, not the school to which I referred, where institutional abuse has occurred in recent years. This abuse was emotional and psychological. The board of management did its best but was blocked from doing anything. The Department of Education and Science which conducted a whole-school evaluation, swept everything under the carpet because that is what it does. The patron believed nothing could be done due to the employment rights of the person in question. Unfortunately, abuse continues. I have reported the matter to relevant authorities and still nothing has happened. My final advice to parents when I could do nothing was to remove their children from the school. Our children have our blood running through their veins; nothing should be left undone to ensure their safety. If the same standard that applied years ago had been applied then, so many others would not have been interfered with.

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