John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Instead the Minister believes that our focus should be on supporting those affected and ensuring that every possible protection is given to vulnerable people in the future. I have been informed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that gardaí are continuing to investigate complaints relevant to this case, and the investigation has the assistance of members of the Garda national bureau of criminal investigation. I am also informed that appropriate liaison arrangements are in place between gardaí and complainants and groups representing the complainants. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has already urged victims to come forward to the investigation team to make statements of complaint.

The Government has taken a range of measures through legislation to deal with child abuse, including the Child Care Act 1991, the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 and the Sex Offenders Act 2001. Children First, the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, was published in September 1999. These are national, over-arching guidelines that apply to all individuals and agencies that deal with children. The key message of the Children First guidelines is that anyone who works with, has responsibility for or comes into contact with children should be aware of the signs of abuse, be alert to the possibility of abuse and be familiar with the basic procedures to report their concerns.

It is very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those who have been in contact with the HSE or the hospital following the recent Medical Council inquiry. The HSE has made arrangements for counselling support for all those who have been in contact with it following the recent Medical Council inquiry using the national counselling service. Over 100 people have made contact with this service and it will continue to be made available as required. The need for additional support will be monitored by the HSE. The Minister and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available.

The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the area manager for consumer affairs in the north east, who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups. The support group, Dignity 4 Patients, has been advised by the HSE on how to make an application for funding under the Health Act 2004 and for national lottery funding. The Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, has indicated publicly that a meeting is being arranged with the group Dignity 4 Patients. I would like to emphasise the Government's commitment towards the protection of the most vulnerable in our society.

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