Vol. 487 No. 5
132 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper article (details supplied) of 15 February 1998 on the need for a judicial inquiry into the recent swimming abuse controversy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4480/98]
I am aware of the newspaper article referred to by the Deputy. The position is that the Government has established an independent inquiry to investigate the facts relating to certain matters concerning the handling of child sexual abuse complaints by the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, its Leinster branch and affiliated clubs.
In deciding on the matter for the inquiry, the Government took account of all the issues involved, including victims' concerns, the desire for privacy of a number of victims and their families and the wider public policy issue of how best child abuse cases should be dealt with in such circumstances in the future.
The Government has appointed Dr. Roderick Murphy, S.C., Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, to carry out the inquiry.
Dr. Murphy has been asked to conduct this investigation in private and to report to me by 10 March 1998. Subject to the need to preserve the confidentiality of victims, his findings will be made public.
The inquiry began its work on Monday, 16 February 1998.
