Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)

Today, we discuss a painful chapter in the State's history, namely, the systemic failure to protect children from sexual abuse within day and boarding schools. Sinn Féin welcomes the establishment of the commission of investigation. We also welcome the fact that the terms of reference include all survivors, regardless of whether they attended a religious or non-religious school or institution. The establishment of a commission has been called for by survivors for decades. In truth, it should not have taken this long for the Government to act. For decades, survivors carried the weight of their trauma in silence. If they chose to speak out, they were met by a wall of institutional indifference and State inaction.

Survivors should not have had to fight this hard for so long to be heard. We owe particular recognition to David and Mark Ryan, whose courage in the RTÉ documentary, "Blackrock Boys", helped push this issue into the light. Our thoughts are with Mark's family and friends today. We welcome Liam, Seán and David to the Visitors Gallery. It is largely due to the courage and perseverance of survivors, not Government interest or initiative, that has brought us here. In fact, as is so often the case, the State's role was to deny, delay and frustrate. Every year of delay has meant survivors grow older, evidence is potentially lost and accountability deferred. Any further delay will disadvantage survivors and risks allowing those responsible to avoid accountability.

We welcome the commitment to an interim report after two years and the alignment of the terms with recommendations stemming from survivors' voices during the scoping inquiry. However, we are disappointed by the exclusion of physical abuse from the commission's remit. The Minister might provide a clear explanation for this omission. The success of this commission hinges on the core principle of being survivor-centred and trauma-informed.

The failures of the past are tragically exemplified in the Grace report, with survivors describing that process as "re-traumatising" and "adversarial". This cannot happen again. On this, a number of issues have been raised by Inclusion Ireland and others. I ask the Minister to take note. The survey referenced in Part 3, No. 8(a) should include "other mechanisms which will give due recognition to the particular communication needs of individual survivors". Surveying on its own "will not suit people who are non speaking or who have literacy issues". Part 4, No. 11(a) should "include accessible information and communication including but not limited to audio, visual, plain English, easy to read versions of all relevant documents and materials, the inclusion of intermediaries and independent advocates to support the person's participation". Part 4, No. 11(a) "Must include legal representation as a form of support for survivors". Part 4, No. 12(a) should "stipulate how it will be ascertained a person is 'incapacitated'". The Minister should "ensure this part of the terms of reference is compatible with provisions of Assisted Decision making Act and presumption of capacity". On reporting, in Part 5, the terms of reference should "Stipulate commission reports must be published in accessible formats". These are important points. I ask the Minister and Minister of State to take note and to act on them.

The voice of all survivors must be at the heart of this process. The commission's proposed sampling method, drawing on models used successfully in independent inquiries into child sexual abuse in England, Wales, Canada and Australia, appears sensible. However, transparency is non-negotiable. The commission must clearly communicate how cases are selected, ensuring the process is open, fair and accountable. Fundamentally, this is about accountability. On this, redress must be clearly outlined and transparent. If legislation is required to ensure religious orders are held to account, I urge the Minister to bring it forward without delay.

A redress scheme for survivors should be established without delay. There have been reports in the media in recent days of pushback to the Minister on this from within her Department.

She must resist that pushback. She must think of the survivors. They have waited long enough. The Minister has an opportunity to finally address this terrible hurt, this dark stain on Irish history. Sinn Féin stands ready to work with her constructively and with survivors and all parties to ensure this commission delivers truth, secures accountability and places survivors - their needs, their voices and their right to justice - at the very heart of everything it does. Let this be the moment we finally get it right.

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