There is need for “absolute accountability” among religious orders that were at the centre of historical sexual abuse at schools, according to the Minister for Finance.
It was announced on Tuesday that a Commission of Investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.
Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry revealed.
The 700-page report said the claims were made against 884 alleged abusers in day and boarding schools run by 42 religious orders.
The scoping inquiry said it had contacted 73 religious orders that ran or are still running schools in Ireland, with 42 having records of historical sexual abuse allegations.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers accused the religious orders of being “shameful” over their handling of the allegations.
The report said 17 were special schools, which recorded 590 allegations involving 190 alleged abusers.
The report, written by senior counsel Mary O’Toole, recommended the Government approaches the religious orders to contribute towards a redress scheme.
Taoiseach Simon Harris called on religious orders to “step up” in providing redress for victims of historical sexual abuse, while Mr Chambers said that they should contribute to any redress scheme.
Mr Chambers also accused the religious orders of being “shameful” over their handling of the allegations.
“It’s harrowing to hear the experiences that so many young people had in our school system, and I know many more, who I’m sure will come forward as part of the next process,” Mr Chambers added.
“Obviously, Government will discuss the recommendations and the redress scheme.
“But I think generally, there should be a contribution made by religious institutions for any redress scheme which might come from this process and they should be part of that.
“I think some of the ways they’ve been quite defensive on this has been shameful.
“The fact that so many victims have waited for so long and have had to use the process that we’ve had up to this point to have their stories heard and haven’t had any accountability has been shameful.
“That’s why it’s important that the next stage of this, which Minister (for Education Norma) Foley set out, is progressed quickly.
“We need absolute accountability when it comes to the religious orders and their involvement in this over many years.
“We need to make sure the terms of references are drafted as part of this process, and that that’s at the core.
“Separately, as part of any redress scheme, they need to be involved.
“Obviously, the legal mechanisms and how that’s done will be for further government discussion.
“But no religious order should be left behind as part of this. They need to be centrally involved when it comes to accountability and being part of a scheme, so victims are central to any decision-making process in this.”
Mr Harris said that victims cannot wait five years or longer for the completion of the Commission of Investigation.
Speaking in Ukraine, he said: “I heard, even from a distance of where we are today, I’ve heard survivors publicly saying that they want, and I’m not speaking for them, but they want a process that is going to find truth and justice in a manner that is a lot more efficient, perhaps, than other commissions and structures have been in the past.
“Second thing is, as the Minister for Education said last night, redress has to be a part of the overall offering and consideration the Government gives to this matter.
“The minister would have also said this, and I agree with her fully, that when you read the report, others have to also step up here as well. Those who allowed this abuse to be carried, those who carried out the abuse and I think that’s really important as well.
“I welcome statements of regret and sorrow, and I don’t doubt that bona fides from any order, and it’s important to have those statements than not, but they will be hallow words if they’re just statements saying we’re sorry.
“The reality is we have Mary O’Toole SC has looked at this and said there is going to be a requirement for redress, and has also said that (religious) orders need to step up too.
“I do want to provide, and I think it’s appropriate that we provide Minister Foley with the time and space to engage with the survivors to get this right.
“I think it’s fair to say that the scoping enquiry process was very survivor-centred, and I’d like to see that now carried through to the Commission of Investigation.
“But I am aware, and I’m going to be honest from the start, if we don’t get this right in terms of how we structure it, and we have something that runs for years and years and years without answers, and I know that’s the last thing that survivors want, it does merit giving it the time and the engagement to try and put those processes in place.
“But I certainly don’t think issues of redress can be parked till the very end, and I think Minister Foley was clear on that too.
“Everybody has to step up here.”
