Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

-----in terms of the child protection policies which apply in our schools. This issue has been raised in the context of the Murphy report. There is a wider policy context which I agree needs to be addressed and can be addressed by consultation, which is ongoing.

On the Murphy report, the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, has made it clear that we await the HSE audit in respect of the remaining dioceses and reserve the position of Government in respect of whether any of them require an investigation such as that carried out by the Murphy commission, as happened in the case of Clones, when it became clear that there was prima facie evidence of a need to fully investigate the diocese as a result of what came to the attention of the HSE or the Minister's office. The issue is clear, and we reserve our position and await the HSE audit so we can decide whether to take the matter further.

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