Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In welcoming the Australian delegation, I hope they get a flavour of the mood of the country about the second international rules test on Friday. We are under some pressure.

A number of issues could be raised here today but I have been handed the Ferns report in the past 30 minutes. It deals with sexual abuse in the Ferns diocese. This is an horrific account of appalling abuse, systemic negligence and specific failures by State agencies. The clock can never be turned back for those victims, nor can we do very much about the feelings of those who have had to live with this appalling situation for many years. However, I hope the process gone through in the publication of this report and the consequences that can be enacted will in some small way possibly offer comfort if not closure on this sad saga.

It is clear from the report that the church authorities in the diocese and elsewhere have very serious questions to answer about the persistent abuse and the church has very serious lessons to learn from what happened in Ferns to ensure that children are never put at risk in future. The State and its agencies also have responsibilities for the protection of children and young people. At times, the report criticises the response and the efficiency of the response from State authorities.

Without having had the opportunity to read the report in detail, can the Taoiseach give the House an indication of the recommendations that have been made about State agencies and Departments in the Ferns report, what discussions the Government has had about it this morning and what plans he has to implement these recommendations as a matter of urgency? I understand that many of the instances of abuse investigated in the Ferns report are relatively recent. This report covers the period from the 1960s until 2002, long after the first State guidelines were introduced in the mid-1980s. The systemic failure that allowed this abuse to continue for so long and with such devastating effect on children and their families exists to this day. It is essential that we, as legislators, react with speed and vigour to the revelations of the report. I therefore ask the Taoiseach to indicate to the House the legislative measures that will be introduced in this area and to state when this will be done. He can take it that this side of the House will facilitate the Government in every way concerning legislation of such type and consequence.

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