Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As far as this Government is concerned, the State will not fail our children. The Government has responded very quickly to the Cloyne report and its implications. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Minster for Justice and Equality have set out the legislative measures the Government will take, and they will be progressed. The Taoiseach yesterday set out very clearly the Government's reaction to the interventions by the Vatican. As the Deputy is aware, I have sought a formal response in respect of that from the Vatican.

With regard to the legislation, the children first Bill is being worked on as a priority and we expect the heads of that Bill will be before the Government shortly.

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