Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have tried to articulate my view on this issue on a number of occasions in the past. It is true to say that our people and society were dominated by one church for many decades. Clearly, that brought with it its difficulties and legacies. I am glad there has been a very significant shift in recognising that these legacy issues of the past need to be apologised for, opened up and dealt with, and those who were involved must be brought before the hand of justice. I agree with the Deputy regarding the impact on young girls and women. Where I come from, where births occurred out of wedlock many women had to go to Liverpool or elsewhere in England because of a perception of scandal and shame being brought upon their families. I must say, however, that during my years in the De La Salle day secondary school in Castlebar, I do not know of anybody who was sexually abused there. While the regime was as hard as any other in terms of corporal punishment - the same practices applied across the board - the De La Salle brothers and the small number of lay teachers at the school did the very best they could in trying to uphold the standards of teaching. I am saying this from personal experience; others might have different experiences depending on where they were.

I have spoken about this issue with the archbishop of Dublin on a number of occasions. Archbishop Martin has made the point that the extent of ownership of schools by the church is too great and, for that reason, it would like to have part of its patronage extended to others while retaining the right to have its own ethos in Catholic schools, the same as for any other religion in its schools. This is an issue that is all the time part of the progress of our society. The relationship between church and State is clearer, stronger and more healthy now because of the actions taken by Government in, for instance, setting up the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, holding a referendum on children's rights and making changes in the law. There has been a positive response from the Catholic Church and other churches to having that clarity as to what they stand for and, on the other hand, the responsibilities of the State towards society and our people.

Perhaps the Deputy's view of history is slightly revisionist in some ways. Others might have different views. I agree with him, however, regarding the domination of the people and society by the church and the consequent legacies of that domination, which was unhealthy for many people. We are working to address these issues. The commission of investigation being set up by the Government into mother and baby homes is another step in dealing with a sad element of that particular legacy.

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