I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue. The reaction of all who viewed the RTE programme "States of Fear" was one of deep shock and hurt that such brutal and sadistic cruelty was visited on the most vulnerable children under the supervision of the State's institutions. The State must acknowledge its role in the severe damage caused to many children. The State must apologise for what occurred. There must be a full inquiry into the facts surrounding the abuse which took place in the industrial schools. I ask the Minister for a firm commitment that such an inquiry takes place.
Why should children who fell on hard times be battered, brutalised, dehumanised and made victims of sexual abuse? Their only crime was being poor. These people must have their stories heard and their suffering understood and they must receive a compassionate response from the State.
We must make sure that what happened does not recur. We must ensure that this generation of legislators are not found culpable of failure to act. Child abuse continues. The level of abuse is increasing, yet there is a high level of legislative neglect. During the period from September to December in 1998 there were approximately 100 incidents reported to the Garda where suspicious approaches were made to children yet the Government will not introduce a child sex offenders' register.
We urgently need a children's ombudsman's office established on a statutory basis to promote and protect children's rights. Children have the right to feel safe, not to be brutalised and dehumanised. Children have a right not to suffer from sexual abuse. Children have a right to be treated with the same respect for their person and dignity as every human being. A children's ombudsman will ensure that this is adhered to as far as possible.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all those who signed shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights. Accordingly, as Ireland ratified the convention the Government is obliged to take steps to ensure compliance with the provision to protect and promote children's rights. A children's ombudsman is a priority.
There are a significant number of children in situations of considerable disadvantage. These include children in care, children in legal custody, children who are subject to abuse and neglect, homeless children and children with disabilities. The Government should introduce a children's ombudsman as an overall mechanism for the promotion of the rights of children generally.
We cannot undo the past. We must recognise and apologise for what happened. While many of the religious orders who ran industrial schools have apologised to those children they damaged and hurt, there has been silence from the State.
In referring to the involvement of the religious, for full clarification I wish to quote my esteemed friend, Senator Norris, who stated yesterday in the Seanad:
One would think this matter concerns only the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy. I went to an upmarket Protestant boarding school in this State and nothing I have seen or heard on television is strange to me. I am aware of lives ruined in these institutions by depraved and sadistic masters bullying, beating and handing out corporal punishments. I know of people who are still damaged. Let us not think it was only the Roman Catholic working class which was mistreated by orders of nuns and priests. It was an entire ethos.
A full inquiry must be introduced into all aspects of this sadistic cruelty visited on children who, due to their circumstances, were placed in industrial schools. Until the full facts are known and the level of involvement of the various institutions, both lay and religious, are identified, we cannot begin to say how deeply we feel and how sorry and moved we are about what occurred, and begin to make restitution to the victims. Unfortunately, we can only pray for some whose suffering was ended by death, in many cases in mysterious circumstances.
