Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, who must work with a new Minister and Taoiseach. I wish him well in his role of dealing with problems associated with education.

We are here today purely to sanction the extension of the period in which the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse can complete its work and fulfil its statutory mandate. It has done a great job. It was established purely to inquire into child abuse, be it physical or sexual, to set up the financial redress scheme for victims and to provide counselling. The education finance board was set up to facilitate that process.

The commission was established to help those who wanted to tell their stories and outline how and why their abuse occurred. This was not easy for any victim and I compliment the commission in this regard. From knowing some of the people who had to listen to the stories, I understand the importance of empathy and putting victims at ease. This was not very easy and the staff have done so very successfully. I know some of the victims who told their stories and understand they were very pleased after they had done so. It made them feel good. They wanted no more than the therapy that telling their stories afforded. That is important and I am glad the commission got it right.

I am glad the investigative committee allowed the commission to bring the accused to heel. This is probably why there was a delay. There was so much documentation to take on board. The investigative committee has the power to confront the accused with the details outlined by the victims, which is very important.

It is well worth the cost of extending the commission's timeframe to allow it to produce its report. When it is published in eight months, I ask the Minister of State to ensure that society at large understands what happened since the 1940s. We must realise there was a different society in the 1940s, characterised by institutions. There was a way of life that was protected and physical or sexual abuse was nearly the norm in those days. The abuse was not condemned. Society will not tolerate it ever again. The commission will have to ensure it sends out signals to this effect.