Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minster to the House. This is a very sad debate. It is another very dark and sad legacy from our past that has been brought out into the open and into the light through the bravery and courage of those who have suffered. I, too, want to welcome Jason and Colin to the Visitors Gallery. Without their perseverance, strength and courage, this sad legacy of Irish society which happened in Waterford would not have been brought into the light. I want them and their fellow victims to know we stand with them in solidarity to find the justice and truth they so rightly deserve.

They have been victims of Kenneally, who is now a convicted sexual abuser. He perpetrated lifelong damage on so many children, whose childhoods were stolen by his evil actions. Today, we start the process of discovering who knew what at that time. This order to establish a commission of investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Bill Kenneally and related matters is not before time and it is important we bring it forward as quickly as possible. It is a very significant day for the victims and survivors of Kenneally's abuse and their fight for transparency and justice. As I said, I want to acknowledge the bravery of the victims in taking such a public stance to achieve justice. As a result, Kenneally has been brought before the courts, convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

The problem, sadly, is that it does not stop there. This issue runs far deeper and there is State involvement that we need to get to the bottom of. The reason this commission of investigation is required is that it is alleged that An Garda Síochána was made aware of the abuses perpetrated by Kenneally at the time. The victims and the public need to know what gardaí knew about the abuse, what actions they took, they told at the time, and, most significantly, what actions they did not take to protect those being abused. It is alleged that gardaí were given comprehensive information but no actions were taken, with the result that the abuse continued. That is the real horror story here and we need to get to the bottom of it.

I mentioned State institutions. It is no secret that Kenneally was a political activist for Fianna Fáil at the time and was closely related to a former Deputy who was influential in Waterford at the time of the abuse. Therefore, we also need to know what that party knew at the time and what it did to protect those being abused. We need to know what State institutions, such as An Garda Síochána and the South Eastern Health Board, and senior clergy in the Catholic diocese of Waterford, knew at that time and why they did not act. On the public record of Seanad Éireann, I call for full co-operation with this investigation by all parties who were informed, who knew a little or who knew a lot of the abuse that occurred at that time, and that includes gardaí, health board officials, clergy and political figures. We need full co-operation with this investigation if we are to get to the truth.

I want to commend the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, for listening to the victims and for supporting them through the establishment of this commission of investigation. I, too, want to acknowledge the role of the former Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, in assisting the survivors. I want to acknowledge the role of the Attorney General, Mr. Séamus Woulfe, in what has been a difficult commission to frame, given the 99 criminal charges that are at present being brought against Kenneally.The Minister found a way forward and engaged with the victims. That is what politics and being a responsible Minister and politician is about. I commend the Minister on that.

I also acknowledge the public support given to the victims. When they were finding the going difficult and probably almost giving up, the public rowed in behind them because they knew they were on the side of what was right. It will be vital that the investigation is transparent and that the commission engages in a real and comprehensive way with the victims of abuse. Their testimonies must be heard and taken into account.

I wish Judge Barry Hickson well in his endeavours to find the truth. He has been given a very responsible role to get to the bottom of what went on. I am confident he will do his work in a diligent and professional manner. I look forward to the day very soon when these brave survivors finally get to the truth of what happened and have justice and we know exactly what went on and who covered up at the time. There is no more room for cover-ups in our society. It is time for truth and justice for the Kenneally victims.