Written answers

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Commissions of Investigation

9:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to be in a position to publish the Report of the Commission of Investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40140/09]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following receipt of the report dealing with the Dublin Archdiocese from the Commission of Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and following consultation with the Attorney General's Office and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, I applied to the High Court for directions on publication of the report. This was in accordance with section 38 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, which provides for such an application if a Minister considers that the publication of a report might prejudice any criminal proceedings. The High Court directed that the report be published but that references to a particular person not be published until the court otherwise directs.

As a result of a legal issue raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions after the court judgement, and in line with advice from the Attorney General's Office, I brought the matter back to the High Court for directions. I am hopeful that the matter will be resolved shortly.

My primary goal is to see the perpetrators of appalling abuse face justice and due punishment and ensure that crimes against children are prevented in the future. I have consistently made clear my wish to publish the report as quickly as possible, while at the same time ensuring, in line with the legislation governing the work of the Commission, that nothing would be done which might prejudice the possibility of a criminal prosecution. It will be clear that I have acted at all times with due expedition, and in accordance with the legal advice which I have received, to achieve this.

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