Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I accept that in regard to the Monageer case. I am not arguing about that point, wherever there are deficiencies we must deal with them. The priority is to ensure that the standards established almost a decade ago are being implemented. That was not the case, the guidelines of 1996 were not fully implemented. We need to clarify the position and ensure people will co-operate with these standards from now on.

Deputy Rabbitte is right to say that in times past there was an almost total reluctance to deal with these issues. These cases date back to 1962 in one diocese. The inquiry identified 100 allegations of child sexual abuse against 21 priests in that period. By any criteria there is no doubt that is a high number of cases in one area. We must recognise, however, that we are in a different era. These cases did not surface until the late 1980s or the 1990s. We must be mindful of the situation in society generally, not just in the context of this report.

Today's priority is for the Government to deal with this report, publish it, accept the recommendations in principle and get on with their detailed examination. Many are not too difficult to move on, others require legislation and we will deal with that. The question of examinations and prosecutions also arises in this report and that will be a matter for the Attorney General to consider.

I have no difficulty with Deputy Rabbitte's suggestion that a committee of the House be formed of two committees to consider the report. This might be done in conjunction with the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan.

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