John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Glennon for sharing time. We are all shocked and dismayed at the extent of the allegations of abuse detailed in the Ferns Report. It makes sorry reading for all of us and especially for people like myself, born and raised in County Wexford. While rumour and innuendo were about for a number of years, people in Wexford remain shell-shocked at the catalogue of abuse which the Ferns Report contains. We share the concern and heartache of many people as a result of the harrowing experience suffered by the victims, in some cases for years. They have shown great courage in coming forward to tell their stories to the Murphy inquiry. That was clearly not easy for them or their families.

As Deputy Glennon and others said in this House, there are some excellent priests, and those of us who are practising Catholics recognise some of the great work being carried out by priests in County Wexford and across the country. However, what happened in Wexford probably happened throughout the country. One would expect that the Dublin report and other reports throughout the country will be carried out as quickly as possible.

With the Catholic Church perceived throughout the world as a great institution, it is quite amazing that there seem to be no guidelines or rules in existence, or available to bishops, on how to deal with allegations against priests of child sex abuse. Reading the Ferns Report, it seems the bishops tried to deal with abuse allegations in their own ways, switching priests around, turning a blind eye and hiding behind Canon Law, but never taking decisive action to deal with the allegations.

Some people have expressed serious concern about priests being chairmen of school boards of management. Having talked to many priests throughout my county, I know that many of them would like to be relieved of those duties. The time has probably come for this to happen.

I too pay tribute to Bishop Eamonn Walsh. He has taken very decisive action with regard to Ferns and quite properly has dealt appropriately with all the allegations against priests from the time he was appointed administrator of the Ferns diocese and for all the time he has been there. It is generally recognised that no cover-up was involved and that every action possible was taken by Bishop Eamonn Walsh. He is to be complimented on that. I also compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for taking decisive action in dealing with the issues.

The Ferns Report has been referred to the DPP. People in my county, and all of us, would like to see prosecutions of the perpetrators of such acts of violence against young people. I know the DPP is independent, but going by the evidence to be put before him, there is a hope in Wexford that decisive action will be taken and that we will see prosecutions of the persons involved.

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