Joanna Byrne: The State Must Fund Dignity for Patients

Just over a year ago, I had the privilege to host Dignity for Patients here in Leinster House, where five courageous survivors of convicted sexual abuse, or Michael Shine, shared their testimonies with TD centres and political staff. Survivors Larry, Keenan, Gerard, Peter and Ian spoke with one voice on behalf of the hundreds of known victims who had come forward and their message was clear, truth matters and transparency matters. Complaints and reports of sexual abuse from Michael Shine were first made to hospital authorities as early as 1964, with more documented reports throughout the 70s and 80s. Victims have stated that this was an open secret at Our Lady of Lords Hospital in Drogheda, but nobody batted an eyelid. And then in 1995, Bernadette Sullivan, a nurse, stepped forward and made a formal complaint and this was the beginning of Michael Shine's well overdue downfall and exposure as the most prolific paedophile in Europe. She's been called a whistleblower, she is in fact a hero. The wheels of justice turn slowly and that is why in 2026 we are still looking for answers. Today I want to acknowledge the immense pain and trauma that survivors of Michael Shine have endured, the long and difficult path they have walked with Dignity for Patients in their fight for truth and justice, their positive engagement with the scope and inquiry and their ongoing campaign for public inquiry. The government must also support them to rebuild their lives. Through my own local engagement with survivors and their families, I know how important the support provided by Dignity for Patients is. The people of Drogheda and beyond rightly view this as a lifeline. While the scope and exercise was an important and welcome step, it also exposed the lack of capacity to support victims and survivors and adequate funding and resources must now be provided to Dignity for Patients by the government ahead of any potential next steps that follow this exercise. It's mind-boggling that they haven't been provided with funding for an advocacy worker despite submitting a business case for this, particularly when they have supported over 400 vulnerable people and brave survivors with only two advocacy team members. The state has a duty of care to survivors like Larry, like Keenan, like Jared, like Peter, like Ian and many more like them. On a personal level, I'm proud to personally know these men, immensely proud of their bravery, and I want to thank them for trusting me with their painful experience. I'd just like to reassure anybody out there that's watching this today who has been affected similarly that there is a helpline ongoing by Dignity for Patients Monday to Thursday 10 a.m to 4 p.m and there's people there to listen and support them. Thank you.