merrion street

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, today received a report from Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan on her inquiry into the circumstances surrounding two children from two different Roma families being taken temporarily into care in October 2013. The Minister will now read and consider the contents of the Report.

Ms Logan has informed the Minister that she was required to make an application to the District Court for the lifting of the in camera rule with respect to proceedings relating to one of the children concerned prior to her submission of this Report to the Minister. She has also informed the Minister that the District Court has indicated that there would be a requirement for him to make a separate application to that Court before he can proceed with publication of this Report.

Minister Shatter is making the necessary arrangements for such application to be made and is seeking the advices of the Attorney General in relation to this and any other issues that may arise in relation to the publication of the Report.

Speaking today the Minister thanked Ms Logan for her work in conducting this important inquiry.

2 April 2014

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Background:

In December 2013 Ms Emily Logan was appointed by the Minister for Justice & Equality to carry out this inquiry in accordance with section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended by section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007). The Terms of Reference for the inquiry were as follows:

The inquiry shall have regard to all relevant matters including:-

a. The information available to An Garda Síochána at the relevant times;

b. The nature of any consultation or coordination with the Health Service Executive before or after the exercise of the powers under s.12 (amended by section 7 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 19 of 2011)) of the Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17 of 1991) in each case;

c. The systems and policies for the sharing of information between An Garda Síochána and other relevant organisations involved in the events that are the subject of this Inquiry;

d. The systems and policies for ensuring the maintenance of appropriate confidentiality in relation to the utilisation of section 12 (amended by section 7 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (No. 19 of 2011)) of the Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17 of 1991);

e. All relevant child protection considerations.