Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach, accompanied by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, met Mr. Colm O'Gorman and representatives of the One in Four organisation in Government Buildings on 17 November 2005.

During the course of the meeting the Taoiseach highlighted the strong priority he has attached to the issue of adult victims of past abuse during his term of office. He highlighted the actions he had taken to acknowledge, in the first instance, the suffering of the victims of child abuse, including sex abuse, within residential institutions. He had publicly apologised on behalf of the State for its failings in that regard and had ensured that the victims had access to effective redress. The Taoiseach pointed to his public statements, in the Dáil and outside, which had expressed outrage at the facts which had been established about the breach of trust by clerics who had abused children in their care. He fully shared and had expressed the dismay and sense of betrayal at the failure to confront this issue when it came to notice, which put more children in danger.

The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, pointed out that the Government had brought forward major child protection legislation. It has also taken a number of other important initiatives, including the establishment of the Garda central vetting unit and the appointment of an Ombudsman for Children. The Government has accepted in principle the recommendations of the Ferns Report and will take further steps to improve the level of legal protection for children.

Mr. O'Gorman took the opportunity to outline to the Taoiseach the work being conducted by One in Four and there was a brief presentation. Mr. O'Gorman highlighted the increased demand for the services provided by the group and stressed that the issue of abuse was not only a matter of concern to the victims but to society as a whole. Mr. O'Gorman was appreciative of the Government's commitment to the investigation of child sexual abuse and for taking action when required.