Seanad debates

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

3:00 pm

Photo of Labhrás Ó MurchúLabhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

It is important we have a debate on the Ryan report at an early stage. Members in the Seanad, just like those in the Dáil and indeed all public representatives, have an opportunity to show leadership in this area. I have been very impressed by the balance shown by some of the spokespersons for the victims' groups in their response. If we had found ourselves in the same position, would we have been as balanced? They are almost charitable in the manner in which they present their case. They possibly expect exactly the same reaction from us. The person who spoke last night on "Questions and Answers" asked that this would not be made a political issue. Senator Frances Fitzgerald has made the same point. The danger was that this could have happened as we are so close to an election. I am glad it has not happened.

We need to be genuine in helping the victims and the children of victims. We also need to ensure that what happened could never happen again. The only way we can do that is to get down to real practical steps when the emotion has died down. At the end of the day, when the emotion has gone, there is a danger this story could disappear to the back pages. That would be wrong as well.

The best leadership we can provide is to show balance. I can think back to my own education. I said on the last morning here that I never witnessed anything inappropriate. I saw nothing but appreciation for the Christian Brothers and the great work they had done. I was travelling on the train later that day and a young man was sitting opposite me. He said he had been in Cashel, my home town, for a reunion of the Croke Cup team and that 20 of them had turned up. They got around to discussing this dreadful report and he told me that each and every one of the 20 people in Cashel that night said they never experienced anything but the best education from the Christian Brothers. I can say the same for the nuns and many others.

If we give real leadership by creating balance and thinking of everyone's concerns in this, we will best serve the needs not just of the victims and the children of this nation, but the whole of society.

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