Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

It is worth recalling that these questions arise in the context of allegations of the rape and sexual abuse of a young woman in Northern Ireland and her subsequent mistreatment at the hands of members of Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA.

I have had the opportunity and the privilege of meeting with Ms Cahill, and she is a woman of tremendous bravery and courage. Clearly, the issues raised are of a very serious nature, relating not only to serious criminal activity but also to the potential risk to children from people who were hidden away in our communities by these organisations. The Garda Síochána is currently investigating information on these issues which they have received from a number of people. These Garda investigations are ongoing and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on them, except to say that they are a priority given the child protection concerns and the seriousness of the alleged offences involved.

I would further add that it is important to continue to encourage people with any relevant information to come forward to the authorities.

I have not discussed the allegations of sexual abuse with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, nor did I discuss the issue with the First Minister, Mr. Robinson, or the Deputy First Minister, Mr. McGuinness, at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council or at the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, in November. As Deputies are aware, justice and policing matters are not sectoral areas covered in the North-South Ministerial Council framework. North-South co-operation in these areas takes place bilaterally. However, the health and child welfare aspects of child protection are included in the NSMC framework. The plenary meeting in Armagh in December had a very useful discussion on child protection and noted that very good collaborative work is already taking place, both within the NSMC structures and elsewhere.

On the margins of this meeting, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, and the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, also had the opportunity to discuss the issues arising as part of their ongoing co-operation and work in this area. The Ministers are anxious to ensure that the issues arising are fully addressed and they are looking closely at the best way in which that can be done. The Minister is briefed on this issue on an ongoing basis. Arising from their discussions, the Ministers have tasked the relevant officials in their Departments to examine the legal and practical issues that might arise which relate to the issue of establishing forms of inquiry. Their officials are currently carrying out detailed, joint work in that regard and they will report on developments to Ministers in the near future. This process of examination is being done against the background of the various investigations, North and South, that are under way into aspects of this issue. As the House is now aware, more immediate and recent allegations have been made of a similar nature that are the subject of a television programme later today.

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