Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree with the Deputy that the Government does not place a high importance on these matters. Under a previous Administration we set up the Office of the Minister for Children, which has been a welcome development and has resulted in many improvements in the administration of this area. The Office has brought together disparate activities that traditionally had been associated with different Departments, which was seen as one of the reasons a legislative framework was not established as quickly as we would like. There have been reports from Oireachtas committees considering these matters, and they are being acted upon in that Bills are being prepared.

These are not simple issues. The first report recommended the establishment of a statutory scheme for vetting and dealt with the question of hard and soft information, as well as recommending that persons working with children should be subject to vetting. These are involved issues which relate to endangerment and the risk of sexual exploitation or abuse of children. They are important matters and we are committed to introducing legislation that will provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons to identify those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. As I said, we hope to see the general scheme of a Bill submitted to the Government at the earliest possible date.

As I said, the preparation of the general scheme of a Bill dealing with the recommendations in the second report was approved by the Government in December. The Government is in no way neutral or indifferent to these matters. The reason they have been dealt with at such length and in such depth by joint committees is precisely the complexity of the issues involved and the need to find a solution which will meet the objectives without causing other problems to arise as a result. We must make sure these measures are effective.

I have been clear about the situation regarding the third report published in February, which dealt with the rights of children under the Constitution and the statute and case law concerning adoption, guardianship, care proceedings, custody and access to children. These are important matters and they are currently being considered at senior official level in the relevant Departments prior to their consideration by Ministers; the Attorney General is also involved. I have made it clear that as soon as that work is completed it can be considered by Government. It is not the case that these issues are not being dealt with.

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