Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach raised an issue in his speech on the Cloyne report. As Head of Government, the Taoiseach made specific points about the behaviour of a separate state. We have all gone on the record to criticise the response and record of the church on the abuse of children. When we make assertions, we have to be willing to do more than simply say we stand over them. The Taoiseach's spokesman said that the Taoiseach had no incident in mind when he claimed that the Vatican had hindered an investigation. The Taoiseach said at the time that another state had frustrated and hindered an investigation. When this claim was challenged by the Vatican, the Taoiseach or his spokesman said that the Taoiseach had been referring to a much earlier letter. The report itself does not suggest that the letter in question was used to frustrate its inquiries. Why have we been given two different explanations for the words used by the Taoiseach? Can the Taoiseach clarify the situation a bit more for us?

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