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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Ceisteanna – Questions. - Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

2 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the criticism made by Ms Justice Laffoy of her dealings with the Government in regard to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is valid; his further views on whether Ms Justice Laffoy was justified in resigning from the chair of the commission due to the fact that Government action prevented it from discharging its functions as the law required; the plans the Government has for the future operation of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21704/03]

It is important that I begin by reiterating that I and my Government colleagues remain fully committed to ensuring that victims of abuse are helped to find peace and healing in their lives and that those responsible for abuse are held accountable. Furthermore, in order for the final report of the commission to be relevant to survivors and for it to assist them in reaching some form of closure, it is important that the work of the commission be concluded and its final report produced within a reasonable timeframe.

In relation to the issues raised by the Deputy, I regret that Ms Justice Laffoy reached the conclusion that she could no longer continue as chairperson of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse. I have previously stated that Ms Justice Laffoy's decision to resign her position as chairperson of the commission was a matter of considerable surprise to the Government and me. I have also acknowledged and expressed my thanks to her for her commitment. Ms Justice Laffoy remains as chairperson of the commission until the publication of an interim report by the commission which is expected in November 2003.

Ms Justice Laffoy's letter of 2 September 2003 to the Government, in which she indicated that she intended to resign upon publication of an interim report by the commission in November, contained a number of reasons she considered she had to take such a course of action. The Government considered Ms Justice Laffoy's letter and issued its response to the matters that had been raised by Ms Justice Laffoy on 9 September 2003. In addition, it published correspondence with the commission dating back to December 2002 and the announcement of the review of the commission.

I do not intend to reproduce here the contents of Ms Justice Laffoy's letter or the Government's response to it. The documents have been made publicly available and are a matter of public record. They were discussed at length in the House yesterday and at the committee on Monday.

While I accept that the review process created some uncertainty for the commission, it was in order to counteract that uncertainty that at regular intervals Ms Justice Laffoy was advised of the progress of the review and indeed the commission gave much useful assistance. Furthermore, Ms Justice Laffoy attended meetings on 9 May 2003 and 15 July 2003 with the Attorney General and myself at which discussions took place regarding the second phase of the review of the operations of the commission. At no time during these meetings did Ms Justice Laffoy give an indication that she considered the ongoing review grounds for her resignation.

With regard to the plans for the future operation of the commission, the Government recently announced the appointment of a new chairperson designate Mr. Seán Ryan, SC. Mr. Ryan will undertake his own review of the commission, which I expect to be completed within eight weeks. In carrying out this review, Mr. Ryan will take account of the interests of victims of abuse, the need for the commission to complete its work within a reasonable timescale and in a manner consistent with a proper investigation, without incurring exorbitant costs.

While nobody would have wished for events to take the course they have, it is important to focus on the future rather than the past. In this regard I remain committed to ensuring that the process of review will be completed as quickly as possible and that appropriate amending legislation will be enacted which will allow for the completion of the work of the investigation committee within a reasonable timeframe and without incurring exorbitant costs.

We dealt with this issue in detail yesterday but a number of questions remain. Will the Minister issue a clarifying statement to survivors of abuse because there is a great deal of confusion among the public based on contacts I have had? The Minister has not satisfactorily answered why he did not go ahead with the provision of additional resources following the first review last February. The commission felt a specific number of additional staff would be provided but that did not happen because there was a second review. Will the Minister give a commitment that resources will be supplied in future to the commission to bring its work to a timely conclusion? Will he consult all groups, including Irish SOCA, and individuals and listen to their views on this issue because there is a feeling that a number of people have been excluded from the discussions?

I am not sure what the Deputy has in mind regarding a clarifying statement. Perhaps if she speaks to me afterwards about it, we can reach an agreement. I have no difficulty, where there is doubt or where victims have been upset, issuing a clarifying statement reassuring them that the commission will continue, the legislation is still in place, the chairman designate is in place and will take over immediately from Ms Justice Laffoy and there will be no difficulties during the transition.

Ms Justice Laffoy sought additional resources in June 2002, including an increase in staff from 38 to 79. That was the subject of discussions with my Department until November. I brought the matter to the Government's attention when we were satisfied the additional staff and the method in which they would be deployed would be helpful. The Government agreed in principle and we conveyed same to Ms Justice Laffoy. We suggested to her that she should be mindful of the fact that we were conducting a review and she should consider recruiting staff on short-term contracts or roll them out over a period.

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