The Mansion House

23rd May, 2009

I associate the Mansion House with fun and good times. I remember many happy events and nights organised by Lord Mayors from all parties.

Today I had an experience of a very different kind. Enda and I called in to sign the Book of Solidarity for abused children. There was a long and steady number of people there.

As we waited a lady broke down in Enda’s arms. I am not going to write any more than just to say she had experienced the abuse that we were there to acknowledge and say sorry for. Enda took her aside and comforted her.

We must make sure that the publication of this report is not the end of the story but rather the beginning of another one. One where we learn from what has happened and swear to ourselves that, no matter the state of the national finances, this never but never happens again.