Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak about the terrible atrocities in Tuam. Every time we talk about an incident of residential abuse or children in care we have another inquiry and saga and nobody ever seems to be held accountable. It is extraordinary. It has been a very bad and distressing week for many people who grew up in Tuam with the heartbreak of mothers and their children. The State cannot continue to say, "The poor old nuns." Where was the establishment? Where were An Garda Síochána, the politicians, the health boards, the health authorities, the teachers, the schools, the community nurses and doctors? Where were all of the institutions of State? Every time there was a situation involving abuse people cried "Stop" but nothing seemed to happen. As politicians, we have serious questions to ask of ourselves, as well as of the political establishment and An Garda Síochána. To hear the horrific stories of children who were literally tossed away and forgotten is an indictment of our society. Deaths occurred and we do not know whether they occurred in a violent or unnatural manner. We are told by experts in the national press this morning that it is possible to trace using DNA. We must also be sensitive of the needs of the people involved and their families. We should not move hastily or jump in and be satisfied with another inquiry. Today I made some inquiries with the redress board. It is closed to new applications because it cannot deal with them. That is another issue we need to examine. I call on the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in conjunction with the Minister for Justice and Equality, to examine whether Forensic Science Ireland or the Office of the State Pathologist can be of assistance. These are State agencies which are independent and have expertise. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ms Catherine Corless for unravelling this story. She met opposition from An Garda Síochána, as outlined yesterday in many news bulletins. She was refused replies to freedom of information requests and told it was not possible. There has been a betrayal of trust by the greater authorities in the country. People were judged harshly and oppressively and treated abominably and unfairly. It is welcome that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has agreed to come to the House on Thursday, but let us move slowly and be very sensitive about where we take it from here. The Minister for Justice and Equality should also come to the House to address the issue.