The Government has issued a formal apology to survivors of institutional abuse, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin telling the Dáil that what they went through was "harrowing".
The apology comes following a protest by four survivors of abuse in industrial and reformatory schools that lasted for over 50 days outside Leinster House last year.
Maurice Patton O'Connell, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Mary Donovan, while Mary Dunlevy Greene and their supporters were in the visitors' gallery for the apology.
Mr Martin unequivocally apologised to survivors and reiterated on behalf of the Government, the State, and all the citizens of the State the profound sorrow for the terrible pain and abuse suffered.
"What you endured on a daily basis as innocent children was harrowing, heart breaking and wrong," he said.
Watch: Government apologies to survivors of institutional abuse
Those who were boarded out from institutions also received a formal apology from the Taoiseach.
Mr Martin noted that when he met the survivors who had been protesting last year, they made him aware of the abuse suffered by some who were boarded out from industrial and reformatory schools.
He apologised on behalf of the State for the abuse and neglect that they suffered.
"What happened to you was wrong, shocking and should never have happened," he said.
"Abuse ruined their childhoods and was, and remains, an ever-present part of their adult lives, reminding them of a time when they were without support or protection," Mr Martin said.
He said the Government recognised the suffering and damage that the abuse had caused, adding that the Government would continue to support those survivors as much as possible.
"I fully recognise that for those who suffered institutional abuse the traumatic impact has been enduring.
"The deep personal toll that it has taken on the lives of survivors was brought home to me again in my recent engagements with the group who are here today.
"I was moved to hear each of your personal stories and I am deeply sorry for the harm that you suffered as a consequence of the abuse you experienced in state institutions," Mr Martin said.
"I am very sorry for what was done to you. I apologise on behalf of the State for the abuse and neglect that you suffered. What happened to you was wrong, shocking and should never have happened," he added.
The Taoiseach expressed hope that a new phase of supports to survivors of abuse in industrial schools, reformatories and related institutions, in areas including health, advocacy and education would help the ongoing process of healing.
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After apology, concern for those who still feel excluded
As he concluded, Mr Martin again thanked the survivors for being in the Dáil today.
"Your presence is testament to your tireless commitment to shining a light into the dark corners of both our past and present.
"I want to unequivocally apologise to you and reiterate on behalf of the Government, the State, and all the citizens of the State, the profound sorrow for the terrible pain and abuse suffered by you," Mr Martin added.
Tánaiste Simon Harris told the Dáil that when the silence surrounding survivors' experience is broken, this is "a moment of light shining in the darkness".
"It is right that we should hear these harsh truths in this house and it is right that we should apologise for them.
"In truth we can never apologise enough for what has happened," Mr Harris said.
"We unequivocally apologise on behalf of the Government, the State and all the citizens of this State for all that you have endured," he added.
Last month, the Government agreed a package of additional supports for survivors of abuse at institutional schools, including health, education, housing and funeral cost supports.
Special Advocate for Survivors Patricia Carey welcomed the move.
She said the urgent need for supports relating to health and housing had consistently been raised with her office since its establishment two years ago.
'No mention of proper redress scheme'
While Ms Carey has welcomed the State apology, she expressed profound disappointment with the Government.
She criticised it for including "boarded out" survivors in the apology without a redress scheme.
"I'm frankly quite shocked that the Taoiseach mentioned those who were boarded out so many times, but yet again after decades, no mention of a proper redress scheme," she said.
She noted that the support measures for those boarded out and referenced by the Taoiseach, which come from Barnardos and Ms Carey's Office as Special Advocate, are pre-existing.
While a new phase of supports to survivors of abuse in industrial schools, reformatories and related institutions were agreed, Ms Carey said specific requests from survivors such as a health card and a contributory pension, were not granted.
Highlighting action by governments over decades to help survivors, the Taoiseach said access to records was important for many of those who were boarded out
He noted that they would have had questions about their origins and early life experiences.
Mr Martin said the Birth Information and Tracing Act provided a clear legal basis for access to birth and early life information and records.
However, Ms Carey said the State's failure to provide unredacted records to survivors remained a critical, unresolved issue.
"I speak to people every day whose records are redacted so they don't know their full history," she said.
Children were 'criminalised and victimised' - McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil that "the dark shadow" of the abuse perpetrated "is a horror" the legacy of which is "always there".
She condemned "successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments" for allowing the industrial schools to systematically inflict State-sanctioned "unimaginable cruelty" on vulnerable children, as it occurred on their "watch".
Those children were then "criminalised and victimised", having to endure "unspeakable brutality", their innocence "crushed in dark rooms", Ms McDonald added.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that children who suffered trauma were subjected to "brutality and terror".
Ms Cairns said "survivors of depraved abuse" are still being failed by politicians as they have to "jump through hoops" to access basic supports, a process which is inflicting further trauma and pain.
She also noted it was the fifth apology from the State to these survivors, the first having been in 1999.
Ms Cairns said at that time, Mr Martin was a member of a sub-committee tasked with developing supports.
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik welcomed the Taoiseach's apology and what she called an "important and historic debate".
She praised the "brave and courageous survivors" and saluted the "mighty Ms who are here today, Mary Donovan, Miriam Moriarty Owens, Mary Dunleavy Greene, Maurice Patton O'Connell".
She recalled Christine Buckley, "who died so sadly in 2014", who bravely spoke about her horrific experiences at the Goldenbridge orphanage.
Ms Bacik said her "ground-breaking documentary, Dear Daughter", aired "30 years ago this Sunday".
Irish Thalidomide Association to seek State apology
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to a State apology to Thalidomide survivors.
The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste met with the Irish Thalidomide Association at Government Buildings tonight.
In a statement, the discussions were described as constructive and focused on resolving the various issues raised by the ITA.
There was a collective agreement to address issues speedily.
It follows a meeting last October at which the Government outlined a series of measures including the provision of medical cards.
The drug Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant mothers in the 1950s and 1960s as an anti-morning sickness drug, but was later pulled because of links to birth defects and lifelong disabilities.
Earlier this month, Mr Harris told RTÉ News that 2026 had to be the year when the Government finally addresses outstanding issues facing members of the ITA, which includes the issuing of a State apology.
There are 40 thalidomide survivors still alive in Ireland and a handful of mothers who are now in their 90s.
The German manufacturer apologised in 2012 to those born without limbs as a result of the use of Thalidomide.
Additional reporting Fergal Bowers
