It is very good that governments in Ireland and Australia (Catholica.com) and other countries are demanding that commissions investigate these horrors.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Trump administration is going to investigate the U.S. Catholic Church, but one never knows.  Worldwide national investigations of Roman Catholic Church policies will hopefully drive the Vatican to recognize its need for a non-partisan investigation before its credibility falls to zero.

As you say, Seanog, "This was the period of maximum power for the Roman Church in Ireland. The Hierarchy were the dominant power, in an emerging young nation and strongly influenced all new legislation with moral implications."  Power, hierarchy, dominance...these are all characteristic marks of the Roman Catholic Rite/Church.

The Vatican II Rite/Church sees power in Scripture, Liturgy, and governance through a very different lens.  https://ritebeyondrome.com/picture-the-possibility-of-a-vatican-ii-rite/