Labour launches Institutional Child Abuse Bill 2009

Posted on June 18, 2009 at 04:58 PM

Loss of innocence
Survivors who took part in the silent protest to the Dáil tied white ribbons and childrens' shoes to the Dáil railings symbolising loss of innocence.

This afternoon we launched the Institutional Child Abuse Bill 2009 which attempts to acknowledge the failure of the State and of religious congregations to protect children from abuse, to recognise the pain and suffering endured by the former residents of institutions and that the Commission's report vindicates their claims of abuse and that crimes were committed by members of the religious congregations and others against children in State care.

Present at the launch were the party Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD, our Spokesperson on Education Ruairi Quinn TD and our Spokesperson on Justice Pat Rabbitte TD.

Speaking at the press conference Deputy Quinn said: "The Institutional Child Abuse Bill we are launching is part, but only a part, of an attempt to acknowledge the failure of the State and of religious congregations to protect children from abuse, the pain and suffering they endured and that the Ryan Report vindicates their claims of abusive crimes committed against them by members of religious congregations and others when they were ostensibly in State care or under State supervision."

Deputy Rabbitt said: "It is now widely acknowledged that the 2002 deal was less interested in protecting than in shielding the Religious Orders, to whom the State gave an immensely valuable indemnity. It is clear that the Religious Congregations outfoxed and outmanoeuvred the Government; that the then Minister for Education, Dr Michael Woods was a willing patsy in the process; and that the Cabinet failed to exercise adequate supervision over the process or examine the final agreement in any detail."

Both Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Quinn's statements are available in our media centre while you can download the principle features of the Bill from our policy section. If you'd like a full copy of the Bill email the press office at press<AT>labour<DOT>ie.

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