Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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501. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans regarding confirmed reports of the way the Provisional IRA movement dealt with complaints of sexual abuse; her views that victims are still afraid to speak out; if she condemns any attempt to suppress reports of abuse going to the proper authorities as this enabled abusers to continue to abuse; and if she plans to request the Garda to examine the matter. [41068/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's Question arises in the context of the recent allegations of the rape and sexual abuse of a young woman, and her subsequent mistreatment at the hands of members of Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA. It is obviously a very difficult story to tell and she has taken a brave, public stance in telling it. It is a pity that those who have questions to answer in relation to her mistreatment have, in stark contrast, relied on evasion and distortion.

The Deputy will understand that the events recounted took place in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions has announced an independent review of the handling by the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland of criminal cases linked to this case. It is the case also that the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is engaged in an investigation of the handling of this case by the PSNI.

We should, however, be clear about one thing: it is not now nor has it ever been acceptable for anyone to seek to suppress the reporting of sexual offences to the appropriate authorities or to seek to protect rapists or sex abusers. Whenever these brutal crimes occur they need to be investigated thoroughly and in accordance with the law. The Deputy clearly shares my concern at the grave implications of abusers not being reported to the authorities but instead having been moved elsewhere. It is imperative that any person or organisation which has information about persons who might pose risks to children passes on that information to the authorities who will pursue it fully.

I have spoken with my Northern Ireland counterpart, Minister David Ford, about these issues and we will be discussing the matter further in the context of ongoing North-South co-operation on criminal justice matters to see whether there are any additional actions that we might usefully consider.

I will make the general point that whatever the circumstances, it is never easy for victims of rape and sexual abuse to come forward with their complaints and to speak out, and when they do they deserve to be listened to and to be treated with sensitivity and respect.

Victims of abuse in this jurisdiction can report sexual offences to the Garda Síochána who have clear and long-standing guidelines in place for dealing with such complaints which are strongly focused on adopting a sensitive approach to the complainant. The Gardaí will investigate any complaints of sexual offences reported to them and they work closely with the health and other social services, and with services such as the Rape Crisis Centre, in dealing with such complaints.

In this jurisdiction there is 24-hour helpline for victims of sexual violence which is operated by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre that is staffed by highly trained people. There are also a range of other numbers available where one can speak to some of the fifteen other rape crisis centres around the country. Victims can find contact details and information for can be found at .

I encourage any victims of sexual violence to use these avenues to come forward.