Religious orders must be held accountable

Labour leader Ivana Bacik TD has today welcomed the Government’s announcement of a statutory Commission of Investigation into historical sexual abuse in schools — a move long overdue and one made possible only through the bravery of survivors and tireless campaigners. She called on Government to now urgently move ahead with a parallel redress scheme to ensure justice is delivered in full.

Deputy Bacik said:

“The announcement of this Commission is a vitally important step in delivering truth for the many children who were abused in our schools. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to survivors like Mark and David Ryan — and to every person who has bravely come forward to share their trauma. They have shone a necessary light into a dark and shameful corner of our education system. 

“While this Commission is a welcome move, it must not stand alone. Labour is again calling on Government to urgently establish a parallel Redress Scheme for survivors of school abuse. It is essential that survivors are not made to wait years for justice and that any scheme is fully resourced, transparent, and survivor-led.

“We must also ensure that religious orders — many of whom were directly responsible for the care of children in these schools — are compelled to pay their fair share towards any redress fund. These orders cannot be allowed to hide behind trusts and legal mechanisms to avoid accountability.

“That is why Labour has brought forward a Bill to remove the legal obstacles that have, for too long, prevented survivors from accessing redress. This legislation provides a clear and immediate pathway to justice, and Government should support its passage without delay.

“Government must stand firm in backing survivors and ensuring that religious orders take financial responsibility. Religious orders must be held to account. Survivors have waited long enough.”