Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy Leader of the House and Fine Gael leader in the Seanad, Senator Doherty, and my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, for the work they have both done on this Private Members' motion and on its co-ordination and wording. It has our enthusiastic support. I express my gratitude.

I will make a couple of general points and then focus on the motion. There are a number of reasons this motion is so important. The sexual abuse of any human being, but particularly children, is a horror. I know it to be a horror not only as a human being, but also as a former teacher, as indeed was the Leas-Chathaoirleach. As a former teacher and as a parent, I understand it needs to be weeded out. More particularly in the future, we need very clear regulations, reporting and supervisory structures. There needs to be a reporting officer in every organisation so that it cannot happen again. Every safeguard has to be built in to prevent it. That is the first thing. It is a horror in itself. However, another aspect to this gets understandably forgotten in the debate. There is a wonderful number of excellent voluntary people in organisations like St. John Ambulance, Scouting Ireland and a myriad of other organisations. The scandals about sex abuse are a horror to them and a source of shame. It is a shocking source of depression because they have given their lives to that voluntary work. They feel stigmatised and ashamed. Apart from the horror this abuse represents in itself, those people need to be vindicated. They need and want it to be weeded out. They want it made clear that the majority of them are good and innocent. They are well-intentioned and good people, With a few dreadful exceptions, they were unaware of what was happening around them. It is worth making those general remarks.

This motion is soundly based on a solid report - the Independent Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St. John Ambulance Service by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon. Dr. Shannon disclosed a serious pattern of abuse of young people in that organisation over a number of decades, which is a horror. He made a set of recommendations, which I will only touch on. He refers to a need for a change in culture and ethos to ensure the safety and well-being of cadets in the organisation's care at all times. That is very important for the future. Supervisory and regulatory structures must be in place. Dr. Shannon cites warnings that were ignored and not taken sufficiently seriously in the past. That is a dreadful indictment which must inform the future. He also refers to the failure to investigate and inadequate disciplinary structures. All of that needs to change.

I had a group of 50 children from my neighbouring primary school at home in the House earlier. We gave them copies of the 1916 Proclamation, and the wonderful ushers who guided them around spoke about the terms of the Proclamation and the principle that all children be treated equally. That is a necessary thing and Dr. Shannon cites it in his report.

I will move on to what is called for in the motion, having identified the issues and the recommendations of Dr. Shannon. This is not some whimsical thing we have thought of. This is based sadly and tragically in facts. One important recommendation is that the Minister meet the victims and relevant people afterwards. I appeal to the Minister to indicate in his contribution that he will do so. We call for an urgent investigation into child protective oversight in Tusla, and a review of what structures are there and how child protection is catered for. I have a son who has worked in Tusla. He is qualifying in UCD as a social worker. I spoke to him about these matters and I am very proud of what he is doing. People like him need solid structures and reviews. Those need to be provided. An urgent review of mandatory reporting obligations is needed in every organisation. The main thing is to try not to have this happen ever again, while healing and also having accountability for the past.

There needs to be a review of those who have been prosecuted for withholding information, and a review of the legislation and its adequacy. That is important and stands to reason. We call for a complete review of the standards and criteria applied by the Garda in investigations where they deemed previous matters to be not prosecutable. That also needs review. There must be an immediate meeting between the Minister and any victim survivors to hear their concerns. That is also important and I know the Minister has a particular strength in that area. It is important that such a meeting takes place. Provision must be made for counselling, for medical and legal support for survivors of sexual abuse in the organisation, and for a reporting situation, as Senator Ruane has said. Finally, it is wonderful that we are at least shining a light on these areas, and I am happy we are doing so. We need to shine a light. We cannot live with a tinselled or romantic sense of the past. We have to confront the darkness as well as the light. Unfortunately, both are relevant.