Mary White (Fianna Fail)

The report by the Catholic Church's child protection watchdog has revealed a shocking number of child abuse allegations in six dioceses, as well as a complete failure by the church to deal adequately with several of the allegations made. There were 164 allegations of abuse made against 85 priests over a period of 35 years. The reviews of the six dioceses of Raphoe, Tuam, Kilmore, Derry, Dromore and Ardagh and Clonmacnoise are the result of an internal church audit and do not examine the role of the State authorities in handling allegations of abuse. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, must establish a full independent commission of investigation with a remit to assess the handling of child abuse allegations in all dioceses by both the church and the State. The victims of child abuse have not had their voices heard and it is clear, given the upsetting and disturbing revelations, that further investigations are needed. These reviews have again brought home to Members that protection of the reputation of the Catholic Church was what the church was about, not the protection of children in its care.