Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I move:

That Seanad Éireann,

—bearing in mind the significant public concern about the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin;

—noting the informal Government decision of 22 October 2002 that the matter required further consideration and reflection, in particular on the part of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform;

—noting the Government decision of 25 October 2005 accepting in principle the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse in the diocese of Ferns and giving a commitment to their implementation by line Departments and relevant agencies;

—noting that it is the opinion of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that a commission of investigation represents the best method of addressing the issues involved;

—further noting that a draft order posed to be made by the Government under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (No. 23 of 2004) has been duly laid before Dáil Éireann in respect of the foregoing matters referred to, together with a statement of reasons for establishing a commission under that Act;

—approves the draft Commission of Investigation (Child Sexual Abuse) Order 2005.

I will speak on the motion later.