Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am delighted to see her looking so well again.

I will try to speak positively because I have heard a litany of negative opinion in the past half hour. I have examined the statements on this report and I accept that there were difficulties. The Government was the first to make a commitment to look into cases of sexual abuse and to try to redress the harm inflicted. That is a stand-alone statement. The Taoiseach and the Government apologised to the victims on behalf of the State. That is also a first. Let us be fair.

Under the commission's terms of reference, two committees were established. The confidential committee gave everyone an opportunity to make his or her case and extensive counselling was provided. That was welcome and important. The process allowed people to examine what had happened for themselves. The problem arose with the investigative committee. As the Department was on a learning curve, it did not have a real feel for what was involved. That can happen. I have made many mistakes in all of my professions to date. I am sure there is no one in this room who has not made professional mistakes, no matter how good they are at their jobs. The Department found that there were difficulties. I welcome the Minister's decision to try to put things right.

I could not believe the recommendations that the commission should be taken from the Department of Education and Science and placed under the Department of the Taoiseach.