Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take arising from the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5597/10]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on extending the remit of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin to cover other dioceses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5596/10]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects the Garda investigation into matters arising from the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5598/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 45 and 50 together.

When I received the report of the Commission of Investigation on the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin last July, I immediately sent it to the Garda Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Since then, I have discussed the matter with the Commissioner. A number of the perpetrators discussed in the report have already been brought to justice, proceedings are pending against others and a number of investigations are ongoing. The Garda Commissioner has assured me that pursuing the perpetrators, whenever the abuse occurred, is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána.

The Commissioner appointed Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney to examine the report's findings relating to the handling of complaints and investigations by both Church and State authorities, to carry out such investigations and inquiries as he deems appropriate and to make a report to him with his recommendations. The Commissioner will then consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions as to what issues arise in the context of criminal liability. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, while it is at this stage too early to give a precise date for the completion of the Assistant Commissioner's investigation, the Commissioner has directed that it be concluded as early as possible.

The findings of the Commission's report are positive with regard to the current Garda arrangements for dealing with such allegations. Nevertheless, after consulting with the Garda Commissioner, I have asked the Garda Inspectorate to review the Garda handling of allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Government requested the Commission of Investigation in early 2009 to extend its work to deal with the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne because of concerns which had arisen in relation to that diocese. I believe that the work of the Commission in relation to the Archdiocese of Dublin and the Diocese of Cloyne will serve the purpose of establishing how child sexual abuse cases were dealt with by the Church and State authorities so that lessons can be learned and remedies introduced.

I am informed by my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently in the process of completing its audit of Catholic dioceses to ensure that it, as the statutorily responsible body, is fully aware of all cases of clerical child sex abuse known to the Church. A detailed questionnaire issued to each diocese and completed replies were received by the HSE from the head of each diocese. A number of dioceses asked to re-submit their questionnaire responses and those requests were assented to. The HSE also sought additional information with a view to checking this information against internal and Garda Síochána records. These actions have of necessity entailed a delay in the process, but with the expectation that it will improve outcomes. It is expected that the HSE will submit a comprehensive report to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs by the end of February for his consideration.

Work is well under way on preparing legislation to provide a statutory framework for the sharing of soft information. The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is preparing Heads of a Bill in consultation with my Department, An Garda Síochána and the HSE. The findings of the Commission's report about collection and sharing of information will be taken fully into account in that process which will be completed in the very near future.