Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning, I hosted a briefing here in Leinster House with Dignity4Patients, an organisation that supports victims of sexual abuse and inappropriate sexual behaviour in medical settings. For decades, the great and the good of Irish politics have pledged their support to this organisation and, in particular, to the survivors of Ireland's most prolific paedophile, Michael Shine. Yet, survivors still have to come here in 2025 and relive their pain and trauma in order to elevate their campaign for the establishment of a commission of investigation. I acknowledge and thank Larry, Cianan, Gerard, Peter and Ian for their bravery this morning. I understand the Taoiseach will be meeting this group on 16 April.

With that in mind, with comes healing. Will the Taoiseach commit to delivering the commission of investigation? Not only that, will he commit to a concrete timeline to give the survivors some hope that their need for truth and justice will finally be met?

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