Brendan Ryan (Labour)

The Labour Party supports this motion. I accept that the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse has requested an extension of eight months to the end of January 2009. My party views this request favourably.

In many ways, this matter concerns the extension of the commission's period of inquiry. The substantive debate on the need for the inquiry into child abuse took place around the time of the enactment of the legislation in 2000, and also during its amendment in 2005.

There are two aspects to the extension of the timeframe. Will it lead to some victims not receiving justice? I do not believe so. The second aspect concerns the cost. The Minister of State indicated a figure of €45 million to €55 million. In the context of bringing the process to completion, it is worth spending that money.

Through the commission's ongoing work, a great many people who had previously remained silent have had their cases heard and, when they wished, investigated by both the investigative committee and the confidential committee. The Minister of State said the latter committee provided a space for over 1,000 victims to testify, in a fully confidential manner, to what they had undergone. Given that the investigative committee is in the process of writing its report based on the large volume of oral and documentary evidence received, which will be presented to the public on completion, we are agreeable to allowing the extension requested by the commission.

I hope and trust the commission's work can be completed in a timely and satisfactory manner. Society will gain from the publication of the report and, most importantly, the victims of child abuse will have been given the chance to have a humane and respectful hearing. Given the importance of the recommendations the report will disclose, it should be completed and published as a matter of urgency. I hope the commission will not seek even more time.