Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the recourse which is available to a person who put their name down to go before the Investigation Committee of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in the year 2000 and who has been refused an opportunity to appear before that committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19899/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the basis on which the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse has decided not to inquire by way of testimony before the investigation Committee in the case of a number of institutions against which complaints have been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19900/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 78 together.

The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse has indicated in its Progress Report and Plan for 2006 that it has conducted a large number of interviews with complainants to the Investigation Committee and will continue to do so until every individual who had indicated a wish to participate in the inquiry will have testified at a private Committee hearing or been interviewed.

The Commission is also hearing evidence on oath from witnesses who have relevant testimony to give and analysing relevant documentary material. When sufficient information has been obtained, the inquiry members will assess the evidential material and come to conclusions. Only the Commission itself when it has the relevant information can decide when it has enough evidence. It can only decide this as the hearing process progresses. Requirements will vary depending on the institution being investigated.

The Commission is independent in its functions and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the manner in which the Commission proceeds with its work. This is a matter for the Commission itself and it is open to any complainant to seek information from the Commission on the processing of their individual complaint.