James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Labour Party's Bill and congratulate Deputy Quinn on introducing it. As Deputy Shatter stated, it is six week since the Ryan report was published and three since the Dáil debate, in which many Members on all sides promised to cherish all our children equally. The Bill sets out to do this.

All State activity should be underpinned by three principles: transparency, accountability and fairness. When we spoke on this issue three weeks ago, I pointed out, as I had pointed out heretofore, that we still have no independent inspectorate for 450 children with disabilities who are in institutional care. How can this be? Will we have another scandal in five to ten years?

There still has not been a full and proper investigation into the residential home of the Brothers of Charity in Galway, which matter was discussed by the Joint Committee on Health and Children.

The Minister criticised this Bill as divisive, yet it is he who seeks to divide the House. All the Bill seeks to do is give reality to the promises made by the House and to ensure no victim will lose out through a technicality. It will be sad if, at the first time of asking, the Government is found wanting, despite its promises. Yet again, it is consumed with financial consequences rather than with achieving justice for the victims, some of whom are present tonight. What an insult this will be to them.

As Deputy Shatter pointed out, and as Deputy Quinn will probably do when making his concluding remarks, there is no need to oppose this Bill. It is only on Second Stage and we have the entire summer to address the various legal issues that some believe might arise. The people have waited long enough.

Since I have become a Member of this House, the recurrent theme is the Government's contention that legal opinion is required; this is the great fig leaf it uses time and again. For too long we have listened to the mantra about mysterious law. We are not even told what the legal issues are; they are alluded to in a vague fashion.

The congregations also hid behind the law. I despair that the Government is doing so to frustrate the rights of victims. This is how it will appear to the people. All the outpourings of shame, indignation and sorrow will mean nothing if we do not follow up our words with action. This is what Deputy Quinn is trying to do through this Bill. He is trying to ensure that, by extending the definition of "child" to encompass individuals aged up to 21, people will not lose out. This would get rid of the gagging clause, which must clearly set alarm bells ringing in this House and around the country.

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