Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Bill introduced by Deputy Quinn and his Labour Party colleagues is well-intended and contains many provisions addressing key issues facing both the victims of abuse and their families at present. It is important not to be adversarial in dealing with this most sensitive and emotive issue. The reaction of all parties and Members to the Ryan report and the unanimous motion of the House on the further contributions required by the religious congregations were a reflection of the maturity of our political system.

The content of the Ryan report is truly shocking and provides many details of the experiences of victims who suffered the most horrific physical, sexual and psychological abuse in institutions for which the State and the religious institutions were responsible. People have been scarred for the rest of their lives by their experiences. It is essential to put the needs of the victims at the centre of this debate. One extract, in chapter 8 of volume II relates to an industrial school in Passage West, where I grew up. The extract sums up the Ireland of the time and the reasons the issues were not dealt with at the time. The victims want answers as to how this was allowed to happen in a democratic society. Why did no one in authority shout stop? Why was society so unquestioning of the religious orders and why did the State not hear the cries for help? The extract relates to one boy who was sexually abused at a Sisters of Mercy industrial school at Passage West:

He said he then built up courage to go to the head nun in the convent, which was separate from the School. He said he told her at the front entrance to the convent that Mr Restin [a pseudonym] was sexually abusing him. She told him to go back to the School and she would speak to somebody about it. Some time later, Sr Vita called him and accused him of spreading wicked lies and gave him a severe beating. Soon after this, Mr Restin left.

This extract sums up the horror the victims had to endure through that time. They were not believed when they had the courage to come forward and tell those charged with the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding their welfare. That they were not believed by those people is an indictment of society.

The 2002 indemnity deal agreed by the Government was not a good deal for the taxpayer. It seems that the ultimate liability will be some €1.3 billion. How the State could put a cap on the contribution of the religious orders to what was then an unknown total liability is beyond me. I welcome the initiative taken by the Taoiseach and the Cabinet to reopen the negotiations with the religious orders and to seek further contributions from them. Two meetings have been held between the Taoiseach, the members of Cabinet and the religious congregations on 4 June and 24 June with a view to the congregations providing reports on their financial resources so that how much they can afford to pay can be assessed. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State with responsibility for children will come to Government with a report dealing with the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Ryan report.

The correct approach is for the Government to continue to consult and liaise with the victims groups and continue to meet with the religious orders. This should not be on an indefinite basis. The dust cannot be allowed to settle on this. A conclusion should be arrived at quite shortly whereby further financial resources can be made available and where issues raised with the victims groups in meetings to date with the Government can be addressed in a co-ordinated fashion, rather than rushing through legislation that may ultimately be flawed.

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