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

I thank Senators for bringing attention to this important issue both today, in the context of the motion the Leader has brought forward with support across the House, and since I first took up this role. I refer, in particular, to the engagement from Senator Ruane. I am very glad that Mick Finnegan can join us today. We would not be here but for his bravery. I want to put that on the record.

As we know, reports of historical sexual abuse in St. John Ambulance in the 1990s have been highlighted over recent years. Initially, the case concerned three men who made allegations against one named adult. Two of those individuals were under the age of 18 at the time of the abuse. All three persons and the accused were volunteers with St. John Ambulance.

The Charities Regulator, which is under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development, is Ireland's statutory regulator for charitable organisations, including St. John Ambulance. My Department does not have a role in the governance of St. John Ambulance. My Department is very conscious of the fact that abuse is not consigned to the past, however, and it is my role and that of my Department, in collaboration with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to protect children now.

I met and spoke to one person who was abused as a child while volunteering with St. John Ambulance. Subsequently, I met the board of St. John Ambulance in late 2020. The organisation engaged with Tusla at that time to ensure compliance with its obligations under Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and accepted the recommendations of Tusla to arrange an independent review of the issues that were raised. Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, senior counsel and, most importantly, an internationally recognised expert in child protection, was subsequently commissioned by the board of St. John Ambulance in March 2021 to conduct an independent review into the handling of historical child sexual abuse within St. John Ambulance. While the findings will be presented to the board in the first instance, it is my expectation that St. John Ambulance will ensure swift publication of the report. I have expressed this view of the importance of swift publication in my correspondence with St. John Ambulance, Tusla, survivors who contacted me and in my engagements in this House and Dáil Éireann.

The terms of reference of the review, as fully agreed by Dr. Shannon, set out that he would examine how St. John Ambulance handled past allegations of child sexual abuse relating to the individuals in question and any other allegations made. Importantly, though, the review was also tasked with examining the current standard of child safeguarding within the organisation.The review has both a backwards-looking element and a present-looking element.

I understand that, given the sensitive nature of the subject matter of this review, Dr. Shannon believed that in-person interviews were the most appropriate format. Since the interviews were happening during Covid, this approach led to some initial delays, but I genuinely believe that it was the best format. I understand that arrangements were put in place for secure remote meetings with survivors and participants. I also understand the review proceeded despite the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions on the process.

I have met one of the individuals who has come forward. I commend that person and all others who have come forward, often at significant personal cost in terms of being questioned and not being believed, as a number of Senators have said. Their bravery in coming forward and sharing their experiences allows a criminal or civil investigation to take place, but it also provides courage to other people to do the same. One person has to have that bravery. It is a lonely place, which we recognise.

Tusla and officials from my Department have met to prepare for publication of the report and to ensure that supports are in place for persons affected by the details contained within it. Tusla officials are liaising with St. John Ambulance to co-ordinate these supports and ensure that all relevant information is shared with Tusla and An Garda Síochána, as necessary. Tusla's child safeguarding statement compliance unit has reviewed St. John Ambulance's safeguarding statement and child protection policies to ensure they meet all legislative requirements and are fit for purpose. The organisation's safeguarding statement was revised in 2022 and is published on the St. John Ambulance website. This review was established to ensure that all people affected by sexual abuse or who were concerned that abuse had taken place within St. John Ambulance had the opportunity to be heard in a safe and supportive manner.

Dr. Shannon is an expert in the area of child protection and I have confidence in his ability to deliver a robust and thorough review report. Publication of the report and its recommendations ensures transparency at the conclusion of the review. Publication needs to happen swiftly after the report is submitted to St. John Ambulance. The report's recommendations will doubtless be of benefit to other voluntary organisations seeking to improve their own child safeguarding measures. It is my hope that publication will ensure all those who participated in the review are heard and acknowledged.