I, too, want to commend many of the victims and survivors of Bill Kenneally, some of whom are joining us in the Gallery today. In any situation, it takes incredible bravery and courage to be able to come forward and tell your story, and more so when many of the organs of the State ignore you, do not listen to you and in some cases undermine you as well. These victims and survivors have not only taken on an evil predictor, but they have also taken on many of the powers of the State. We are also thinking today of the dozens of other victims who for different reasons have not been able to come forward publicly. I welcome the State apology by the Government. This apology is a culmination of decades of campaigning by people who have been providing information. It is a long time coming but it will bring closure to many people. I also welcome the report that has been done on this issue but the process for these reports is incredibly slow. We need a permanent office of public investigation in this country, one that retains the skills and experience needed to undertake these types of investigation in a speedy fashion. The slow process of investigations is damaging. Long and winding investigations mean that those who have suffered have to suffer for longer and some people never achieve justice. The vile crimes of Bill Kenneally have done much harm. These crimes have damaged and destroyed lives and have consumed the lives of many others for decades. In this specific case, truth and justice were prevented by some of the most powerful organisations in the State. It is shocking that senior gardaí who had been informed of these crimes in the 1980s did not act on them. The gardaí failed these victims and survivors. The South-Eastern Health Board also failed to follow through on these complaints. In his report, Mr. Justice Michael White said that Bill Kenneally was surrounded by the influential in Waterford society, including his uncle, Billy Kenneally Snr., and his cousin Brendan Kenneally, who were both Fianna Fáil TDs for Waterford, and his uncle Monsignor John Shine, who was influential in the church. These actions may seem like they were from a bygone time but, in truth, that instinct is still in organisations to defend themselves. Organisations still often put their own interests ahead of the interests of survivors. On the question of children being at risk today, there are dozens of children in the charge of Tusla who are missing as we speak. Many are exposed to shocking levels of abuse. My worry is that some of those children will be in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery in 20 or 30 years’ time.

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