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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Denis Naughten

Question:

131 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received assurances from other Government Departments and State agencies that all documentation relating to the abuse of children in State care will be released to the compensation tribunals, including documentation relating to vaccine trials. [21360/00]

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has established the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse on a statutory basis to hear any and all allegations of abuse against children in any institution where they may have been cared for. These are wide terms of reference. Where victims wish, the commission may go beyond hearing allegations of abuse and investigate such allegations. The findings of the commission shall be made public in a full report at the conclusion of its work.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government fully supports the work of the commission, and will assist it in every way possible in all its pro ceedings. In any case, the Government has, in the establishment of the commission, provided that the investigation committee of the commission shall have powers equivalent to that of a High Court judge in terms of being able to compel the discovery of any document it deems necessary to its work.
It will be the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse itself which, depending on the allegations that are brought to its notice, will shape its agenda of work and consequent requests for documentation. To the extent that individual documents relate to vaccine trials, then all documentation will be made available.
Question No. 132 taken with Question No. 127.
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