merrion street

On 8 April, 2011 the High Court directed that publication of certain parts of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the handling by Church and State authorities of allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse against clerics of the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne be not published until the court otherwise directs.

A decision of the High Court on 16 December last, allowed for the publication of those parts of the report. Consequently, those parts of the report have now been made available on the Department’s website www.justice.ie.

Minister Shatter said:

The publication this afternoon of the redacted portions of the Cloyne Report yet again details the failure of the Church to comply with its own child abuse guidelines and its failure to ensure that allegations of abuse when first received were brought to the notice of An Garda Síochána. The litany of allegations made and the failure to appropriately report cases of abuse reinforces the need to enact a statutory measure for the protection of children in the future. Work is continuing on the Criminal Justice (Withholding Information on Crimes against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2011. I hope to publish it in the New Year. . I welcome the fact that we are able today to complete publication of the Cloyne Report and reiterate the Government’s commitment to take all necessary action to ensure children are properly protected.

Children & Youth Affairs Minister Minister Frances Fitzgerald also welcomed the publication of material previously redacted. She recognises that the publication of this additional material will serve as a painful reminder for those involved. She emphasised that the HSE National Counselling Service is operating a special phone line on freephone 1800 234 116 which is available to support those affected by child abuse. Minister Fitzgerald joined with Minister Shatter in renewing their call for anyone who has any information relating to the abuse of children to come forward and report this to the statutory authorities.

Following the publication of the Cloyne report, Ministers Shatter and Fitzgerald outlined a detailed Government response to the publication of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Diocese of Cloyne. A programme of work, including the introduction of new legislation to underpin the Children First National Guidance, is being progressed with a view to significantly strengthening the current policy and legal framework in respect of child welfare and protection.