THE Dear Daughter film has achieved at least one significant result. It has enabled hundreds to break silence and reveal their brutalised childhoods in orphanages', throughout the country.

However, a controversy hash opened up in the media, and consequently in the public's perception, as to the veracity of statements made and events portrayed in the film. Given the horrific nature of so much of its content, particularly as they related to events in Goldenbridge orphanage during the period of the film's concern (from the late 1950s'-to the early 1960s) this may be, to an extent, understandable.

But I feel the matter has now got totally out of focus, with so much doubt being generated. One letter writer even questioned whether the improbable events (if they happened) could have been the erroneous perceptions of a child's mind or distorted due to other problems..." As producer and director of Dear Daughter I have no, option but to enter the fray.

Firstly, let me state that the overall fine work of the Mercy Sisters since their foundation has never been in doubt. Secondly, that I and all the women who worked with me on the film are delighted that some people did not suffer as children under the care of the sisters, and perhaps in particular under Sister Xavieria in Saint Kyran's orphanage in Rathdrum.

Sadly, however, a number of stories of cruelty in that institution are on public record Many of the children under care in Goldenbridge did suffer, horribly of that I have absolutely no doubt. Are the critics of the programme seriously suggesting that Christine Buckley and others who participated in the film suffer from memory distortion'? I can assure you that Ms Buckley's mind and memory, and that of her colleagues, are far from distorted.

Much has also been written about the harsh social conditions of the time the acceptance of discipline, the lack of funds and so on. But discipline is one thing cruelty to babies and children in care is another. A hug never cost a penny, yet not one former inmate of Goldenbridge, so far as I know, remembers ever receiving one.

Our film has also been criticised because of basic misapprehensions.

It was never intended to be an examination of the social aspects of, child care during that period. What it is the story of Christine Buckley's search for her parents that is explicitly stated in the first line of the film.

"I wanted to find my parents and kill them for every ounce of pain that I suffered because of what they did. I wanted to find my Dad and say, see what I'm suffering, because of you and the likes of you.

That pain and suffering was inflicted in Goldenbridge Orphanage, not only on Christine, but on hundreds of other unfortunate children they were betrayed by their parents, betrayed by the State, betrayed by those in whose care they were placed.

But these people are now being betrayed once again by a seeming inability or unwillingness to believe and accept that these things happened.

All the women involved in Dear Daughter have been extremely brave in opening up their memories for me. They were prepared to interrupt the long healing process in the hope that events they had been relating and crying over in private for years would at last be believed.

They now find some reporters, researchers and letter writers making allegations of distorted memory without any supporting evidence.

I could have told a more horrific story than Dear Daughter. So many of the phone calls received since transmission by myself and Christine Buckley related even more terrible events, not only from former - Goldenbridge children but from other orphanages throughout the country.

Are they, and the many others whose accounts of those days have been eagerly featured in the press, also under suspicion, and if so to what end? The fact that some did not suffer is not to cast doubt on the stories of those who did.

I have also been accused of not presenting the side of the story of the Sisters of Mercy. At our first meeting, however, I requested permission from Sister Helena O'Donoghue, Regional Provincial of the Order, to be allowed to interview Sister Xavieria and the other members of the Order on film, to ascertain their side of the story, but this was refused. In fact, it was at Sister O'Donoghue's insistence, that we made no reference whatsoever by name to Sister Xavieria in the film.

There is the usual Irish danger that events exposed by Dear Daughter may become a nine day wonder. The silencing strategy, perpetrated in the past to prevent abused children from being listened to, now appears to be repeating itself.

Neither I, nor any former inmates of Goldenbridge of my acquaintance, wish any grief to the present Sisters of Mercy. They are unfortunately having to take responsibility for the deeds of a small number of individual nuns in the past.

But the Mercy Order has never, to my knowledge, refuted any of the claims made either in the film, or subsequently. In fact, Sister O'Donoghue on behalf of her Order has apologised publicly for the events portrayed in the film.

The order also set up a help line and it has offered counselling.

After Christine first told her story con the The Gay Byrne Show over, three years ago, Sister O'Donoghue spoke of setting up counselling but to my knowledge, little, if anything, was done. Why not? Was the Order hoping that Christine would fade into limbo? Had it acted positively, Dear Daughter might never have been made.

At my first meeting with Sister O'Donoghue I told her the events that my research over two years had revealed. She told me the Sisters were instigating an internal inquiry. Subsequently in her presence I told a senior Mid western Health Board official, introduced as heading this inquiry, all I then knew.

What, if anything, has happened to this inquiry? What sort of inquiry is it that did not come near any of the women who contributed to the film?

Some of the public reaction to the film is also in marked contrast to the aftermath of the Channel 4 documentary The Dying Rooms shown recently on RTE.-

In that case, the Government was quick enough to carpet the Chinese Ambassador. Nobody doubted the ghastly events it showed. But is the suffering inflicted on Irish children any less important?

Instead of casting suspicion yet again on those who have already suffered, I urge that a Government appointed public inquiry be established immediately to take evidence and report on the whole situation of past events in orphanages during a defined period.

Given that the State was no less guilty, an independent fund should also be established with substantial contributions both from the State and the Sisters of Mercy to reimburse people for any counselling they have received and to pay for whatever treatment may be necessary in the future. Only if this is done and the present damaging denials cease, will the healing process be allowed to begin.