Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I also raise the issue of St. John Ambulance and the failure to implement the report. Deputy Pringle has laid out the facts. All I would add is that the Government is now funding a safeguarding officer for St. John Ambulance, partly because of the organisation's inability to fund it itself and partly because of the absolute necessity for such a role. When similar concerns about child sexual abuse emerged in respect of Scouting Ireland, the then Minister, Katherine Zappone, cut off its funding until it implemented changes. This funding of the safeguarding officer gives the Government leverage over St. John Ambulance. Along with Deputy Pringle, I think it is time we used this. Many survivors in my constituency have been in touch with me. I support what Deputy Pringle said and implore the Government to use the leverage it has to get this report from Geoffrey Shannon implemented.

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