Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I join colleagues in offering, on behalf of the Technical Group, deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jim Stynes. Jim was a great sportsperson who played for Ballyboden St. Enda's, Dublin and Melbourne. He was also a great sporting ambassador for Ireland.

Today I raise the very important issue of the child sexual abuse report published yesterday. I am pleased the Vatican has admitted great shame over sex abuse in Ireland and I welcome the apology. It is still not accepting the reality of past cover-ups of sexual abuse of children, and that reality must be faced. There is also a common misconception that victims have been well looked after by the church but the church's legal teams are fighting tooth and nail to limit the financial exposure, with the victims suffering again. Is this true remorse and does the church need to address this issue?

With regard to guidelines, I welcome the improvements in good practice but we should not delude ourselves, and there is still a little boy or girl out there suffering from child sexual abuse as I speak. We have had many reports and recommendations but we must take action. What action will the Tánaiste take?

What is the Government's reaction to this report, particularly the aspects covering the silence and cover-up regarding child sexual abuse? Does the Tánaiste accept there are many good priests, nuns and lay people in the churches who were shocked by the actions of senior people in their church, and they too felt let down? Does the Tánaiste accept the State has a serious responsibility with this matter? Does he agree with the comments of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who today said that the State had failed these children too? What will be done about that?

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