Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

On 28 April 1999 I had the privilege - perhaps the responsibility - of bringing to the attention of the Taoiseach of the day on the Order of Business the broadcast the evening before of a stunning RTE programme entitled "States of Fear". I would like to note with great regret the untimely passing of Mary Raftery, the author of that work and to recognise the ground breaking achievements of her life and work by shocking and stunning the political, Church and State establishments into dealing with institutionalised child abuse. It is appropriate, bearing in mind the huge impact for good all round of her work and the many times it was discussed in this House, that we should note her untimely passing and pay our respects to her family.

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