Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have always been available to survivors of abuse in this organisation. I have engaged with Mick Finnegan on several occasions and remain open to doing so. I just wanted to put that on the record because the Deputy is right that it is important for the State to engage in this process.

The report was published and Dr. Shannon set out a range of recommendations. It is now six months since the report's publication. We have received one update regarding the recommendations. All of them have not been implemented. I do not know whether it is reasonable to think everything could be done in six months but it is important that we keep the pressure on to ensure all the recommendations are implemented. That is why, after some engagement with survivors over the summer, I wrote to SJAI. I was very surprised to hear the board members had not stepped down, so I wrote. The board members have now stepped down.

I was particularly concerned about what I felt was the lack of speed in the appointment of the national safeguarding lead. I am glad to know the process is under way. The appointment of the individual will give me significantly enhanced reassurance because, fundamentally, a failure to implement existing child safeguarding policies was central to what allowed sexual abuse to take place within the organisation. Having the role in place is essential in assuring me there has been change in the organisation.

The working group is meeting. It is primarily made up of representatives of my Department and Tusla. It will consider the report of Dr. Shannon but also report on institutional abuse or organisational abuse in other areas of Ireland. There are a couple of cases in the UK, including the Rochdale case, where state actors failed. The group will be taking what can be learned from these and ascertaining how we can apply it in the Irish context.

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