SEANAD:URGING THAT there be a gesture of humanity to mark the Ryan report on child abuse in institutions, Eoghan Harris (Ind) called on the Minister for Justice to consider a general amnesty for people in prison for minor offences.

Seanad leader Donie Cassidy agreed that the proposal should be looked at in view of prison overcrowding. Three other members also gave their backing for such an amnesty.

Mr Harris stressed that all aspects of the report should be reflected and acted on. Its revelations would leave an indelible stain on the Republic. It was similar to what Germany had gone through after the second World War.

Germans could hold their heads up because they had dealt with their past by putting Nazis on trial, he said. Such due diligence must be part of our response to what was uncovered here. Almost 4,000 people are incarcerated here, many for minor crimes. Consideration should be given to an amnesty to alleviate overcrowding and to ameliorate conditions.

John Hanafin (FF) said he thought the amnesty would be a wonderful gesture. Ivana Bacik (Ind) said Mr Harris had been right to say we would be judged by future generations on how we responded as a society to the needs of abuse victims.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (FF) said he was taken with Mr Harris’s suggestion to show we had improved as a society. He supported the proposal for an amnesty for the many people who should not be in jail.

Nicky McFadden (FG) said the suggestion, while unorthodox, was very good.