Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to commend my colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire, on tabling this motion and sharing his time. Sinn Féin is proposing that in light of the commission of investigation being deemed insufficient to deal with crucial issues in their entirety, that a truth commission be set up which would complement the work of the investigation. A truth commission would ensure that hearings included all mother and baby homes, such as Bethany and Westbank, as well as all institutions, even if they are not included in the Government's prescribed list.

We know that the commission of investigation's terms of reference excluded many institutions and settings, including county homes and the Magdalen laundries. Neither is there any specific inclusion of children who were illegally adopted or illegally fostered. Our proposal is that such a commission would have a broad remit and that survivors in particular would have the ability to contribute publicly or privately in a manner of their choosing. Such a commission could hold individuals and institutions to account, apportion responsibility for mistreatment and neglect and make recommendations on redress.

This Private Members' motion arose in response to the inadequate approach on the part of the State to all these interrelated issues. So many questions need to be answered. If genuine healing of survivors is to take place, then all those affected must be given an opportunity to have their voices heard if they so wish. As matters stand, this will not be possible under the existing terms of reference of the commission of investigation. We had a debate recently on the Grace commission and we were all shocked and horrified about things that went on. If we are genuine about redressing those matters and creating justice for people we must listen to the survivors who have come out of that system. If that is not happening, then we need to put a system in place so that it can occur.

Some of these institutions existed until the 1990s and the effects of that can still be felt today. As was said during the debate on Grace, let us not be hypocritical in seeking to place this kind of abuse of women and children solely in a historical context. We cannot pretend that children being failed by the State is an unfamiliar idea in society today. Tragically, discriminatory treatment of women and children remains hugely prevalent and is still very much alive in our communities. Children continue to be failed terribly by the State. In the absence of a proper care system for children, the mistakes of the past are being repeated.

We need only examine recent figures from the HSE and Tusla as a snapshot of our society's shameful treatment of children. Recent reports show that Tusla received 56,000 reports of child abuse in a recent three-year period. Unfortunately, given those statistics, I do not think we have learned anything from our history. The most recent report from report, published at the end of April 2015, indicated that there were 6,420 children in care, 93% of whom were placed in foster care. That is a shameful travesty but what is even more shameful is that we do not have a care system fit to provide the support desperately needed for these children. As we discuss the horrific abuses of the past, these figures represent today's reality. Yet what are we doing to safeguard children at risk? How much support do we give organisations such as the ISPCC which step in at weekends when the care system is not working due to cutbacks?

While we are calling for a truth commission, I urge everyone to be cognisant of the issues right under our noses. We must learn from the tragedies of the past and vow to do everything we can to create a care system for children that will safeguard those in need. If this State does not wants to face the reality of a truth commission or another commission of investigation in ten or 20 years' time, we need to take heed now and make the safety of children at risk a priority. The survivor groups here today seek justice, clarity and recognition for what occurred and what they had to endure. It is only right that the State should enable that to happen after all they have been through. They are strong, resilient people who deserve the same respect and treatment offered to any other citizen. I therefore urge all Deputies to please support this motion so that we can begin that process of justice.

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