Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me an opportunity to contribute to this important debate on allegations of sexual abuse. I join my colleagues in welcoming Maíria Cahill to the Dáil. The theme of this debate should always be about the victims and the urgent need to support them in a compassionate, caring and professional manner. The victims and survivors have to be the priority. They must get the support of all Members of this House, regardless of politics. This should be practical and embedded in best practice in the new and modern Ireland.

We have to learn from the huge mistakes of the past, particularly in regard to the church. We also have to learn that cover-ups never work because the truth will always come out. The key word with regard to these allegations, many of which are horrific, is "truth". It is important to say during this debate that anyone who deliberately covered up - I use the word "deliberately" in a careful manner - will have to take the consequences. Regardless of whether one is a republican, a Unionist, a Fine Gael Party member, an Independent, a Fianna Fáil Party member or a Sinn Féin Party member, one should give the maximum support to survivors of child sexual abuse. There can be no surrender on that core principle.

We need more than talk during today's debate. In offering my support to Maíria Cahill and her family, I wonder whether she is getting enough practical support from the authorities North and South. I am hearing stories of financial problems and accommodation problems. If they are correct, and I believe they are, why is Ms Cahill not getting the practical support she deserves as a right? I believe she was raped as a minor. The professionals need to be more involved in this case. The State needs to intervene to assist and heal in that process. There are other cases as well. All of the victims of child sexual abuse need proper supports. There can be no fudge on this matter.

I support the idea of a cross-Border commission comprising people with expertise along the lines of the Laffoy, Ryan and Murphy commissions. It is important to say that those involved should be independent non-political experts with no agenda other than getting to the truth and supporting the victims. That should be the key aspect of any commission. We need to take it out of the hands of politicians. I believe that is what the public wants as well. People want a thorough and objective assessment of the allegations. They do not want us to play politics. They want to know about the role of the State and the authorities on either side of the Border. Were rape victims further abused to get at people for political reasons? From the evidence I have seen so far, I believe that to be the case.

I welcome the decision of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland to ask Keir Starmer, QC for England and Wales, to conduct a review of the prosecutorial systems and processes in regard to three interlinked cases involving sexual abuse. I warmly welcome that review as I feel it is one of the best ways to deal with these allegations in a fair and impartial manner. I am aware that it is not politically trendy or popular for me to mention in the context of today's debate that I still believe in old-fashioned due process and the right of all citizens to get a fair and impartial hearing. As legislators, we should never turn on backs on that system, warts and all. This debate will be hollow if these three victims - perhaps there are many more - do not receive compassionate and practical help, particularly from the Government and the authorities in the North and the South.

We need to ensure support agencies like the Rape Crisis Centre are given assistance. They should not have to face more cutbacks like those they have endured over the last 12 months. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, for example, had its budget cut from €1.3 million to €1 million in 2014. It costs €1.8 million to run the service. The centre currently needs 12 psychotherapists to run its service. Even though its therapy team was cut by 33%, it managed to deliver 3,211 sessions to victims. It is important to note in this context that just one person in ten reports the crime of sexual abuse. According to Safe Ireland, some 3,470 requests for refuge could not be met in 2012. This is another scandal in this broader debate. The Government needs to ensure these services are restored to all rape victims.

I do not think we should forget the Louise O'Keeffe case or the other 44 victims of sexual abuse who were treated terribly by this State and its authorities. There are many other cases. The family of Shane Tuohey have had to put up with the grave injustice of his case for the last few years. We need to end all the talk. We need to focus on the victims of rape and give them the support they deserve. We also need to focus on the culprit and on offenders generally. Too much of this debate has taken its eye off the ball. The two main issues - the victim and the rapist - were not really discussed. By playing politics with these two key aspects of the matter, we turn people off and distract from the two core issues. My priority is the victim, or the victims in other cases. They have to get our support.

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The justice system should sort out the offender and get on with meting out justice. I want to live in an Ireland where the victims of sexual abuse are believed, supported and cared for and the abusers are dealt with in a strong and effective manner by our justice system. That system has let victims down. This must change soon.

I welcome Maíria Cahill to the Dáil and hope that, as a result of this debate, we all learn a lesson.

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