Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In 1994, the notorious mishandling of the extradition of Fr. Brendan Smyth brought down a Government. The cover-up by church authorities and the movement of the abuser between jurisdictions effectively facilitated the continuation of the abuse for many years. It is tragic that such activities were not isolated; they were endemic. Regrettably, the House is again discussing similar activities but this time the Catholic Church does not stand accused. Today these accusations, serious as they are, focus on the activities of a political party and its paramilitary wing. That is a fact, whether we like it or not. When abusers were relocated by the Catholic Church, the abuse continued and we can all recount stories from the Ryan and Cloyne reports regarding the abuse. It is only reasonable to assume that when abusers were relocated by Sinn Féin or the IRA, the abuse continued.

Two decades later, we find ourselves in the House discussing similar allegations while the party involved continues to support its leader who is its Uachtarán. This raises questions on a political level for every member of Sinn Féin. What does their response say about them as party members and as individuals regarding the morality and ethics they bring to their public role? Abuse in any form cannot be tolerated and it should never be tolerated.

It is regrettable that we are again discussing the issue of abuse of children and women. As a country and society, we have been discussing this issue for far too long and on too many occasions. Never before has a political party in this House been so closely linked to abuse. For weeks we have been hearing distressing stories of victims being subjected to kangaroo courts and a perverse form of justice. This week, Professor Liam Kennedy of Queen's University Belfast published a report which laid bare the reality of this abuse and how paramilitaries ruled communities, often with a fatal combination of fear and violence. It is conservatively estimated that in the period between 1990 and 2013, more than 500 children were abused by paramilitaries in the North, the IRA, the UDA and their ilk. That is a frightening statistic which, as stated by Deputy Neville, is about the lives of young children. It is an aspect of the Troubles and the campaign of terror that has never been acknowledged until now.

It is upsetting to read that some children committed suicide following a beating or the beating of a friend. It is truly terrifying to read that, according to an eminent professor: "Sinn Féin centres acted as co-ordinating centres for human rights abuses against children." That kind of moral cowardice has no place in any democracy or political party. If this was the case in respect of my party, the Fianna Fáil Party or the Labour Party, the people opposite would be demanding that we make changes and that the people in charge would go, and they would be right.

Thankfully, the element of fear for many victims has receded. There are many for whom it has not. Victims are now finding confidence and courage to confront those who compounded the abuse to which they were subjected. Some victims are demonstrating their resolute bravery by speaking out. Victims of abuse in whatever jurisdiction or country deserve our support every day.

I hope that serious consideration will be given to the establishment of a commission of inquiry. In the interests of everyone in our society, irrespective of political allegiance, we must never allow the abuse of the type which has happened in our country to continue. There can be no ambiguity. We are one State, North and South, made up of four provinces. We can never allow the issue of having one police force to go unhindered. We have one Army and one justice system. Regardless of one's political views or aspirations, on these fundamental principles there can be no negotiation. Victims of abuse deserve not only our words but our support and solidarity.

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