Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I noted the publication yesterday of the Summary of the Findings of the Apostolic Visitation in Ireland. Like the Deputy, I have had some time to consider the report and its implications as they relate to child protection. There are several important points for us, as a Government and as legislators, to note in respect of the ongoing protection of children in this State. I am extremely aware of the ongoing pain and trauma for victims of abuse. The report states that innocent young people were abused by clerics and religious to whose care they were entrusted, while those who should have exercised vigilance often failed to do so effectively, not least various bishops and religious superiors. This wrong can never be put right. However, placing the protection of children above all other considerations is the most important demonstration step that can be taken.

I endorse the importance of what is in the report in regard to child protection. While much of the report is concerned with the renewal of the Catholic Church, there are important points to note in regard to child protection. In particular, I am pleased to note that the church intends to do further work with victims of sexual abuse. I have no doubt there is scope for such further work. The church can find new ways of engaging so that victims feel heard and have their issues dealt with. I also welcome the commitment in the report to support the work of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, to undertake an audit of church personnel files, to ensure the prompt referral of complaints to the civil authorities and to introduce a new programme of training in seminaries on child protection issues. I look forward to hearing how the church intends to progress these issues.

The lessons of the past show us clearly that we can never assume that children are being protected. As such, it is essential that there be robust safeguarding arrangements within all organisations working with children, backed up by a strong statutory requirement to report concerns. From the State's perspective, we must ensure there is no doubt as to the responsibilities of every organisation and individual to protect children and report concerns regarding abuse. To that end, my Department is finalising legislation to place the Children First national guidelines on a statutory footing, legislation which was first promised in 1998. Heads of a Bill for this purpose are being finalised in association with the Office of the Attorney General and will be submitted shortly to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. The Government is determined that the law will unambiguously demand that the protection of children is the paramount concern for all organisations engaged with young people. The Children First guidance will apply to all church organisations, voluntary organisations and sporting and cultural organisations which have direct contact with children.

The Catholic Church must continue to discharge its safeguarding responsibilities, particularly through the important work of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. I am pleased to note the visitation report's finding that the norms of the church's Safeguarding Children child protection policy document are being followed. The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church is engaged in the audit of the implementation of the Safeguarding Children guidelines within the Catholic Church. I strongly welcome the Vatican's endorsement of the work being undertaken by the board and the recommendation that this audit process be conducted in a prompt manner.

I also note the report's recommendation that the board must be adequately resourced and funded to do its work. That resourcing is a matter for the Catholic Church and I welcome the clarity the report has given on the essential need for the church in Ireland both to support and resource the board and to assist and co-operate with it fully in its important work. We have already received the board's audits of the six dioceses. This important visitation for the Catholic Church in Ireland should give a strong impetus to the work of auditing the remaining dioceses and the completion of the Health Service Executive's audit on child protection.

The executive, which has statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, has conducted an audit into Catholic Church child protection policies and procedures and will present its report to me shortly. I had hoped to receive the report this month, but there has been a request for further time on the part of the church and the HSE due to the volume of work involved. I am happy to allow that time to ensure every opportunity to co-operate is afforded. I expect the finalised report to be delivered to me at the beginning of June. The chief executive officer of the National Board for Safeguarding Children, Mr. Ian Elliott, is working closely with the HSE's national director for children and family services, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, on church child protection matters.

I note the assurances of the archbishops of the visited archdioceses that all newly discovered cases of abuse are promptly brought before the civil authorities. This is in line with the Children First national child protection guidance, which applies to all organisations working with children in Ireland, including religious organisations. There is also an obligation under the Children First guidance to bring knowledge of previous abuse to the attention of the relevant authorities where there has been a failure to do so in the past. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue today and look forward to his contribution on the proposed legislation at the committee.

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