Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I too thank the Minister and her officials for the work they have done over such a long period. Since 1999 when the Taoiseach made the apology, the Department officials and various Ministers have worked hard to bring to a conclusion the hardship and the terrible trauma that so many people in this country experienced in the care of the State and in particular under the auspices of the Department of Education as it was then called.

What happened was a tragedy. The State was negligent in not having inspection mechanisms thereby allowing the abuse in those institutions to continue. As has been said in both Houses on a number of occasions the covering up that went on to justify a continuation of the most horrible tragedies ever known was unbelievable. A number of lives and families were destroyed. The presentations by the victims were horrifying. We must have the utmost confidence in the current Minister for Education and Science and her officials that everything that can possibly be done will be done and that the opportunity to commit such terrible crimes will never arise again.

As I have said on many occasions in this House, I regret that we lost the former chairperson of the commission, Ms Justice Laffoy. She expressed regret at having to resign because of issues that were badly handled by the former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey. I say this with no recrimination towards the present Minister for Education and Science or her officials. If there had been greater understanding and greater visible support for Ms Justice Laffoy at the time, much of the recrimination that has taken place from 1999 to today would not have been necessary. What happened during that period gave the wrong message to many people who had been hurt. Thankfully all of that has been redressed and I look forward to the Minister returning to the House on a regular basis to indicate the progress made in terms of satisfying, if possible, those seeking redress so that they can return to some sort of normal lives for themselves and their families. I hope the Government will not be found wanting in the future.