Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2004

Wednesday, 15 December 2004

Questions (133)

David Stanton

Question:

140 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 29 June 2004, if she has plans to amend the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2001 (details supplied) which empowered the commission to inquire, through its investigations committee, into the circumstances of the legality, conduct, ethical propriety and effects on the subject of the three vaccine trials referred to in the chief medical officers report; if she will conduct inquiries into any other trials that took place during the period 1 January 1940 to 31 December 1987 in view of the fact that the Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding the vires of this statutory instrument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33859/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Following on from the judgment of the High Court which found that the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Additional Functions) Order 2001 was ultra vires, and in line with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 29 June 2004, the issue of the vaccine trials has been considered in detail. A number of complex issues have been considered and further consideration needs to be given to some issues. It is likely that discussions will also have to take place with the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse before any final decision is made.