Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

 

Government and Church Dialogue.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask the Taoiseach a different question. The 18 religious congregations that were involved in the religious residential institutions that gave rise to the Ryan report have agreed to present their detailed reports by 15 July, which is the end of next week. I understand, from the Government's response to this proposal, that a three-person panel will be set up to report back initially to the Government on the basis of the presentations made by the religious congregations. What is the timescale for the three-person panel to assess and analyse the presentations by the congregations? Does the Taoiseach believe the congregations will be in a position to provide conclusive reports on the additional contributions they might be able to offer? Are there indications that any congregation will not be able to meet that deadline?

Second, I wish to question the Taoiseach on a similar matter. The appointment of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has been refreshing, given the reality of what the Catholic church has been obliged to face in Ireland. It is necessary that a person of his stature should addressed these issues in the way he has. He has stated that the report on child abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin will, in his own words, " shock us all". This will not make for very nice reading but it must be dealt with. Last week, reports in The Sunday Business Post and The Sunday Tribune suggested that the agencies working with the victims of abuse in Dublin, namely, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the One in Four group, have been overwhelmed by the demand for their services. They wish the publication of the Dublin diocesan report to be delayed because they are unable to meet the demand pouring in as a consequence of the Ryan commission report. Has the Taoiseach and the Government responded to be Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and One in Four? The two groups wrote to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Funding for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has been cut by 2.5% by the HSE in 2009. Given the numbers seeking assistance and counsel, do the Government and the Minister for Health and Children intend to do anything about that?

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