Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I have referred to the woman who spent seven years going through the courts without success. She failed because the local bishop or archbishop took a case on the basis of "an inexcusable and inordinate delay" in taking the original case. Consequently, she found herself out of the legal process. She went to the redress board where, for whatever reason, she was not successful either. She is outside the process and in the age cohort mentioned.

Is there any point in trying to understand the mindset of those who did not take the courts' route or apply to the redress board? It is similar to those who are raped or otherwise attacked and assaulted. At this stage they may not feel able to go through a claims process. Having spoken to many such persons, I know that the thought of narrating their stories is too difficult for them. Gardaí who regularly deal with victims know that they may feel strong enough to tell their story at some stage, but it is a huge step to ask someone to do so. We call them survivors who have survived some terrible things in their lives. My worry is that in establishing a process to help and support them we may actually make it worse in some cases. In establishing such a fund to help with support, including counselling and medical care, we must not leave people out, yet I believe strongly that that is what we are doing. I have listened to what the Minister is saying, but he is wrong on this one. I will be pressing my amendment.

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