The first victims of childhood sexual abuse will have an opportunity to have their experiences officially heard next September under a new commission established to inquire into the scandal.
The possibility now exists that hundreds, if not thousands, of victims may avail of the opportunity to explain, "in a healing forum", the abuses they suffered under the care of religious orders or State institutions, including primary and secondary schools, from at least 1940 to the present day.
Meanwhile, legislation to remove the current restrictions under the Statute of Limitation laws to victims of childhood sexual abuse is to be introduced during this Dail session.
Under the present system, a plaintiff can only take a legal action within three years of reaching the age of 18. Such is the nature of sexual abuse, a victim may be incapable of initiating such an action until long after their 18th birthday. However, the changes would mean that adults, even in middle age, will not be debarred from instituting a damages suit.
The Government has also decided to refer the issue of limitation periods to the Law Reform Commission for its recommendation.
In the first apology from Government for the wrongs inflicted on children who suffered such violation, the Taoiseach yesterday said the starting point to dealing with the matter was "simple".
"We must start by apologising. On behalf of the State and of all citizens of the State, the Government wishes to make a sincere and long overdue apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, to detect their pain, to come to their rescue", Mr Ahern said.
Following Cabinet approval of a range of measures relating to childhood abuse, the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, called a press conference to announce several proposals, including a "dedicated professional counselling service" which would also be introduced in all the regions. The national counselling service, designed to help victims to overcome the effect of the abuse, is to receive an annual allocation of £4 million. The three-person commission, due to be appointed next week, will be chaired by a senior counsel. The other two members are expected to be a psychologist or psychiatrist with experience of dealing with this area as well as an expert from another jurisdiction.
It will begin speaking to victims of childhood sexual abuse shortly in an effort to establish as complete a picture as possible of the causes, nature and extent of physical and sexual abuse of children "in institutions and other places".
It will compile a report containing recommendations on what actions should be taken to safeguard children against abuse in the future. It will report to the Cabinet within three months and may seek extended terms of reference or additional powers.
Outlining the purpose of the new commission into child abuse, Mr Martin said the group aimed to be "a healing forum" for victims who want to come forward and "tell their story". The Taoiseach confirmed that 174 cases for damages were before the courts. Proposals on mandatory reporting of sexual abuse would be published "as soon as possible" in a Department of Health White Paper. Legislation on the introduction of a register of sex offenders was "at an advance stage of preparation". The register would be operational by the end of the year, Mr Ahern said.
The Government has asked the Attorney General, Mr David Byrne SC, to examine the possibility of publishing the report into abuses at Madonna House.