Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The one line that jumps off the page in his official written response is that the Westbank was not generally regarded as a mother and baby home but, rather, as an orphanage. What is the difference? Abuse is abuse. Emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse in any setting, whether in a State school, this building or anywhere else, is not acceptable and justice has to be done at the end of the day. I welcome and will take up the Minister of State's invitation to collaborate and work together to see what we can do.

I was speaking to a person yesterday about this matter who made the poignant observation that rising above the weight of the past is not easy; the past continually elbows its way back into the present. Escaping the memories of horrific abuse is a journey with many turns and indeed many setbacks. The people of Westbank want justice and they want an acknowledgement that what they said and are continuing to say is true. They want to be believed. It is incumbent on us, particularly later today, not to pass the buck but, rather, to take our responsibility seriously and engage with the Minister of State and other Ministers. For us to come in here and keep saying we can do nothing is simply not on. I thank the Minister of State for his time.