Just over a year ago, I had the privilege of hosting Dignity4Patients in Leinster House where five courageous survivors of convicted sexual abuser, Michael Shine, shared their testimonies with TDs, Senators and political staff. Survivors Larry, Cianan, Gerard, Peter and Ian spoke with one voice on behalf of the hundreds of known victims who had come forward. Their message was clear: truth matters and transparency matters. Complaints and reports of sexual abuse by Michael Shine were first made to hospital authorities as early as 1964 with more documented reports throughout the seventies and eighties. Victims have stated that this was an open secret at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, but nobody batted an eyelid. In 1995, Bernadette Sullivan, a nurse, stepped forward and made a formal complaint. This was the beginning of Michael Shine's well overdue downfall and exposure as the most prolific paedophile in Europe. She has been called a whistleblower. She is, in fact, a hero. The wheels of justice turned slowly and that is why in 2026 we are still looking for answers. I acknowledge the immense pain and trauma that survivors of Michael Shine have endured, the long and difficult path they have walked with Dignity4Patients in their fight for truth and justice, their positive engagement with the scoping inquiry and the ongoing campaign for a public inquiry. The Government must also support them to rebuild their lives. Through my own local engagement with survivors and their families, I know how important this support provided by Dignity4Patients is. The people of Drogheda and beyond rightly view this as a lifeline. While the scoping exercise was an important and welcome step, it also exposed the lack of capacity to support victims and survivors. Adequate funding and resources must be provided to Dignity4Patients by the Government ahead of any potential next steps that follow this exercise. It is mind-boggling that it has not been provided with funding for an advocacy worker, despite submitting a business case for this, particularly when it is supported over 400 vulnerable people and brave survivors with only two advocacy team members. The State has a duty of care to survivors like Larry, Cianan, Gerard, Peter, Ian and many more like them. I am proud to personally know these men. I am immensely proud of their bravery. I thank them for trusting me with their painful experience. I reassure anybody out who is watching today who has been affected similarly that Dignity4Patients has an ongoing helpline, Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are people there to listen and support them.

Sentiment score: 0.29