Political reaction:Tánaiste Mary Harney said last night the Ferns report made for "very sad, very disturbing, very depressing reading".
"It's one of the dark sides of our past, the fact that very young children were put at risk in the way that is documented in this report. It's a shocking indictment," Ms Harney said.
"The fact that for over 40 years so much disturbing abuse took place in a relatively small place, and that people who were placed in a position of trust should abuse that trust in such a blatant and disgraceful fashion."
The Minister said the Government would implement the report's recommendations. "We have safeguards in place, but further safeguards are probably required. There are recommendations in the report, and the Government will be taking on board and implementing the findings as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Olwyn Enright said the Catholic Church had shown institutional disregard for, and wilful neglect of, children, while State agencies had failed to protect children from abusers.
"[It] confirms that the church authorities have behaved appallingly in their handling of child sexual abuse in the Ferns diocese.
"It is unacceptable to disregard the welfare and safety of children, as happened all too frequently in Ferns, by transferring abusers from one post to another, or simply leaving them in their positions of authority," she said.
"However, the primary responsibility for the protection of children and young people lies with the State, and this must be recognised by all of us," the TD said.
Labour deputy leader Liz McManus said the inquiry report was "one of the most shocking and disturbing documents ever to have come into the public domain in this country.
"While there was a general awareness of the problem of sexual abuse by clerical figures in the Diocese of Ferns - largely because of the personal courage of a number of people who were subjects of that abuse - the scale and extent of the depravity revealed is almost beyond comprehension," she said.
"What is most depressing is that those who raped and abused the children of Ferns were figures who held responsible positions in society, including in a number of cases, the position of school manager.
"They are people who would have demanded and received the respect of others and the abuse of trust involved here, of parents and their children, is absolutely shocking."
Green Party chairman John Gormley TD said the report was deeply shocking, particularly for parents.
"It reveals a lack of responsibility and a willingness to turn a blind eye among those in authority, which is no longer acceptable in our society. The Government must act now on the recommendations of this report."
Wexford Fine Gael TD Paul Kehoe said the Ferns report had come after a long wait. "The contents of this report are truly shocking. This is a very tough day for all the victims who displayed immense courage in coming forward, and who have endured enormous personal trials. At this late stage it is vital that the victims' hurt be acknowledged," Mr Kehoe said.
"This is also a very tough day for many of the priests who served the diocese, and for those currently serving the diocese in their pastoral duties," said the Enniscorthy-based TD, who appealed for the recommendations to be implemented urgently.
