Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

I want to raise the pressing issue of institutional abuse. We know that survivors deserve justice and fair redress but for far too long institutions, and religious-run orders in particular, have been able to evade accountability for abuse carried out under their watch. Last year, we saw the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church recording more allegations of abuse than in any other year since it was established. We know there is still a great deal of historical legacy that needs to be tackled. Many disclosures have been made, in no small part due to the courage of many survivors who have come out publicly. I am thinking in particular of Mark and David Ryan, the brothers who precipitated the powerful "Blackrock Boys" television programme. I note the sad passing of Mark Ryan in September 2023.

We know that religious orders have moved or are moving their assets to lay-run trusts, out of the reach of the survivors to whom they owe redress. Nearly a year has passed since the then Taoiseach and now Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, committed to working with me and the Labour Party to ensure our Bill would be passed. We have a Bill that would end that cynical invasion of accountability. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that the Government will look again at passing the Bill?

See this speech in context