The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has given evidence at the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, where he was asked to explain the rationale behind the State's apology in 1999 to victims of abuse in State-run institutions.
Mr Ahern told the commission that the State had let the victims down and should have done better. Therefore, he said, it was important to say sorry.
Mr Ahern said the laws to set up the commission had passed through the Oireachtas 'quicker than quick', as he put it.
Reacting to Mr Ahern's appearance, John Kelly of the Survivors of Child Abuse group said that he welcomed the Taoiseach's contribution but said that justice needed to be done and that was beyond the current remit of the commission.
Colm O'Gorman of the One in Four group said it was important that the State had acknowledged that abuse had been widespread in State-run institutions.
Florence Horsman-Hogan of Let Our Voices Be Heard also welcomed Mr Ahern's evidence.
However, Ms Horsman-Hogan said the State had to accept more responsibility for the abuse which had occurred and had to stop letting religious groups 'carry the can'.
Christine Buckley of the Aislinn Centre said Mr Ahern's contribution indicated how much victims had achieved in bringing the abuse issue to public attention.
