Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Legislation was passed recently to allow for examination of the Dublin cases. We awaited this report as a template. Now that we have received it we can deal with that issue and ask the church authorities in every diocese to implement the 1996 standards and these recommendations.

The Deputy may not agree when he reads the full report — I have not read it all — but I do not think there are damning indictments of the former South Eastern Health Board, the Garda Síochána or the school authorities. Certain instances are highlighted, particularly that in many cases they did not have the necessary statutory powers to deal with these matters.

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