Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Minister's response is very disappointing in the sense that he has drawn down what was on the word processor from the last time this question was asked. It is exactly the same answer as given in March, except that in March, the Minister told the House that the HSE report would be with the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs by the end of April. He has now changed the answer of March to read, "in the near future". Is it not disappointing, given the gravity of this issue, that so apparent tardy progress, if progress there is at all, is being made?

I ask the Minister specifically to address the question of the investigation of child abuse in the dioceses outside Dublin and Cloyne. Has the Minister read the very courageous remarks of the archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Diarmuid Martin? He has an admirable track record in this regard. Is it not right that more weight ought to be attached to his words when he says it is his view there are powerful forces within the church still covering up the evil of child sexual abuse in this country? Is it not desirable that the Minister would direct there should be sampling, at a minimum, in other dioceses and that this should be tested by the commission of investigation methodology to deal with the problem, as he said he would deal with it when he took the report on Dublin?

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