Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Like Deputy Kenny, I have not read all 280 pages of the report. The Government discussed it for the first time this morning and at some length. The Ferns inquiry was set up some years ago to investigate the handling of the allegations of abuse. The report is a catalogue of serial abuse and gross dereliction of duties in the diocese of Ferns. It is shocking to everybody's sense of how our children should be protected. The protection of children is the issue in question. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families. The report outlines the full horror of their situation. While understanding the nature and effects of the child abuse perpetrated over 40 years — the report covers the period 1960 to 2002 — it catalogues the continuing failure to respond adequately to child abuse in Ferns until recent years. It is obviously shocking that the abuse was perpetrated for decades. The report will be published shortly by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, who will make a lengthy statement at that stage.

There are many recommendations in the report, with which the Government agrees in principle. Obviously, it must now proceed with the implementation phase. I acknowledge what Deputy Kenny has said in this regard. Legislative actions are required and we will bring forward legislation on these issues. We will examine the detail of all the recommendations so we can move as speedily as possible towards their implementation.

The Attorney General has had a copy of the report for the past few days and has been examining it. He gave his report thereon to the Cabinet this morning. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, will outline our actions. Obviously we will write to the church authorities regarding these matters and other issues we were considering in the context of earlier discussions we have had. We will act on all these matters very speedily.

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