Ivan Yates
Question:64 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline progress to date in the work of the Laffoy Commission in so far as it relates to his Department. [19356/01]
Written Answers. - Laffoy Commission.
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000 (Additional Functions) Order, 2001 came into operation on 19 June 2001. This Order will assist the commission in its inquiry into the vaccines report which was prepared by the chief medical officer of this Department and laid before both Houses in November 2000.
It is proposed to expand the membership of the commission to facilitate its investigation into the vaccines report and the appointment of an additional member is currently the subject of consultation between the commission and the Department of Education and Science, on behalf of the Government. Once the commission's membership is expanded, a division of the investigation committee, to deal with the vaccines trials report, can be established. That division of the investigation committee will then be empowered by the combined operation of section 11(6) of the commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000 and the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000 (Additional Functions) Order, 2001, to inquire into the vaccines report, to make determinations, to prepare a report and to furnish the report to the commission which will then be published.