Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Mick Finnegan to the House. I thank him for being here, giving his time and being an advocate and champion. It is not an easy space to fill. He is a brave and courageous man. He is one of many who have taken various journeys of going public about abuse, which comes in many forms. It is physical, emotional, sexual and many things between. It is quite a common occurrence throughout our society. Nothing should come as any great surprise to us now.

I acknowledge the Minister's presence and the time he has given to push for the publication of this report, which was slow in coming. I acknowledge the input he had on that, quietly in the background. We do not always have to roar, shout and be loud to be effective. That is an important point and the Minister brought that to bear. I thank Fine Gael for using its Private Members' time to highlight this very important issue. I particularly acknowledge Senators Doherty and Seery Kearney who have very much been a driving force all along as regards pursuing this issue. Giving it such a priority in the context of the demand for their Private Members' time is something I acknowledge and thank them for. I particularly single out Senator Ruane and others who have worked quietly, beavering away. Senator Ruane talked about considering options. It is about expectation, and managing people's expectations and emotions around issues such as this, when it comes to the delivery of a report and, ultimately, some redress and justice.

I will touch on something that is very important but before I do so, I will say that every one of us has a story. We have many stories in our lives. We do not choose to share them all. We are constrained by many of them for personal reasons, because of our own hang-ups, in some cases, or protecting our own wider family. There is sometimes a reason. It is not always logical to people outside the window but for those inside there are many reasons we do and do not tell or share stories. Perhaps we do not always share them because, in our own heads, we are slightly running ahead of ourselves. That is just life and the psychology of life. Seven proposals are listed in the motion. That is what will be important. That is how we, and the success of this motion, will be judged because we are only one part of the bigger mix. I would like to hear what the Minister plans are regarding these seven specific asks contained in the motion.

I will again say a few thanks. It is important we thank people. I thank the media, especially RTÉ's "Prime Time" and The Irish Times, which have kept the focus on this matter. There is much criticism of the media and journalists but I acknowledge the very significant role that "Prime Time", Katie Hannon and others in print, television and radio media have had in giving voice to the voiceless, to allow people the opportunity to speak of and share their unique experiences of hurt. We have that ambition to cherish the children equally but we have to cherish everyone equally. We have to respect everyone and support one another.

St. John Ambulance is just one of many organisations where there have been issues of abuse. The logic of it is there has to be sanctions. These are crimes against human beings and people but, more importantly, people who are vulnerable - what a thing. Any crime, however, is a crime. I am someone who has lived in care and has travelled somewhat on this journey.It is important to be able to have a catharsis and to be able in some way to move on, because we cannot become enslaved. Our past and our experience cannot alone define us. We are challenged to move beyond that. We owe it to ourselves to break free and embrace the world. I say every day "a new day, a new dawn, a new beginning and new opportunities". I have said before and I say it again, I am not that long here. I am six or seven years in the Seanad, but little did I think in institutional care, in which I spent my entire life, that I would come to the Seanad and be an advocate like Mick Finnegan and many others who gave a voice to the voiceless, who used and seized on opportunities. That is the challenge to us all.

I said earlier that we all have our unique stories to tell, we see the world from where we stand and our experiences within it. I think of Senator Ruane who brings really unique life experiences into this House. That is the richness of this House and this place.

I close by saying it is great that we have the opportunity in Seanad Éireann to shine a light on a particular case and today it is St. John Ambulance Ireland. It could be something else tomorrow. We have the power of voice. Not everyone has that power. It has been taken away from many. I am mindful of that when I thank Mick Finnegan and others for their bravery and courage in sharing their personal stories, their personal lives and experience. Hopefully with that journey and that pain and sharing we will somehow navigate a new road for the protection of vulnerable people in our society. Again I thank the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, and Fine Gael for using its time for this important issue.