Like my colleagues, I am pleased to have the time to contribute to this State apology. I acknowledge the words of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and many of my colleagues in apologising for the great harm that was done to so many young people and families over a prolonged period of time at the hands of the State. The Taoiseach's apology today rightly built on the 1999 apology on behalf of the State and its citizens to all survivors of childhood abuse, taking into consideration the 2021 apology to survivors and former residents of the mother and baby institutions. Today in particular, we reference and relate to those who were boarded out from the various institutions, many of whom were children who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of those who were meant to protect and support them. Today, we refer to the criminal records and make it clear that no person has a criminal record by virtue of having been in an industrial school. I know this is an important element of the apology today. We make reference to the important initiatives that have taken place in recent decades, including the work of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, improvements to child protection and the provision of redress and other supports. It is important to recommit to and acknowledge the new and necessary ongoing supports that will be delivered to survivors. I acknowledge four people who have brought us to this point and made today happen. They are Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Maurice Patton O'Connell. I know they represent many other survivors of institutional abuse and our industrial schools. I met all four in my previous role as Minister for education. I thank them for the time they afforded me in our engagement and during our time. I am conscious that I am not the first person they had to relay their story to. I am also conscious of the horrors that were inflicted on them, their siblings and their family members, and the intergenerational trauma that has been inflicted on them and their communities. We are here only through their bravery and determination to ensure not just that the wrong that was inflicted on them is recognised here today but that the wrong that was inflicted on so many others is also recognised here today. We must all take this opportunity to restate our absolute commitment as legislators and public representatives working together to make sure that these kinds of abuse do not happen again and that no young person or family will ever be subjected to the kinds of abuse we know were inflicted on so many young people through no fault of their own. Again, I welcome the Taoiseach's apology and the Tánaiste's apology here today and join with colleagues in thanking in particular Mary, Mary, Miriam and Morris for what they have done and what they have achieved on their own behalf but also on behalf of so many others.

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