Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation governing the issue of disclosure and the sharing of soft information on potential child abusers between the Health Service Executive and the Garda with a view to ensuring best practice in child protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15208/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under the Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children the HSE are required to inform an Garda Síochána if there is evidence of abuse of a child and to agree with An Garda Síochána how any enquiry or investigation will be conducted.

I plan to seek Government approval in the next month or two for drafting of a National Vetting Bureau Bill which will place existing vetting procedures on a statutory basis and which will also make provision for the use of "soft" information.

The definition of "soft" information in the Bill will have to be very precisely defined. The use of "soft" information will also have to strike an appropriate balance between the need to protect children or vulnerable adults and the need to adhere to principles of natural justice. Furthermore, the Bill will have to have due regard to a person's constitutional right to protection of their good name from unjust attack.