Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I speak on this Bill with a deep sense of humility and inadequacy. I too welcome the survivors in the Visitors' Gallery. Unfortunately some of the victims did not make it this far. I took my daughter to the film "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" which is about a little boy in the concentration camps. She thought it was the saddest film we had ever seen. It was sad but it was not as sad as what happened in Ireland. I know the Minister is deeply affected by this and is fully committed to doing what he can to redress this terrible abuse of children, which cannot be redressed adequately.

We must remember that in April and May 1999, RTE broadcast the documentary series "States of Fear", produced by the late Mary Raftery. The documentary detailed the abuse suffered by children between the 1930s and the 1970s in the State child care system, primarily in reformatory and industrial schools. This documentary was the catalyst for the recognition of the pain, isolation and abandonment of many of our nation's children. With all the furore and anger over some of the "Prime Time" documentaries and other RTE investigations, we must also acknowledge the work done by RTE's investigative teams in this area. There must be a balance.

I noted Senator Power's points on eligibility and how some people may not have come to terms with their victimhood which in turn prevented them from applying to the redress board. However, that should not be a reason for blocking this Bill and its intentions. I welcome the Minister's commitment in the Dáil and here that the operation of the fund will be reviewed in two years. We all know the Minister for Education and Skills has been very accommodating compared with some other Ministers and I trust him 100% to undertake this review.

The Minister stated the religious institutions must be more forthcoming in the amount of money and assets they will hand over for redress. The transfer of schools, hospitals and lands to the State would be welcome. I hope in his negotiations on school patronage and pluralism, as well as on the 59 designated areas, that he will be able to work out an arrangement with the religious orders that will take these transfers into account.