Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
62 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has had any discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding the necessity for progressing the Children First Bill at the same time as progressing the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33326/12]
View answerIn the first instance, I would like to make a clear distinction between the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information) Bill and the draft Heads of the Children First Bill. These two Bills and the National Vetting Bureau Bill are part of a suite of complementary legislative proposals to strengthen child protection.
The focus of the Withholding Bill is on the responsibility of all citizens to provide information to the Gardaí where they have knowledge of a serious sexual crime against a child, in the investigation and prosecution of that crime. The proposed Children First legislation focusses on the protection of individual children about whom a report is made and other children who may be at risk from an alleged perpetrator of abuse. Its aim is to make organisations safe places, and to ensure that key people in authority in these organisations, and named professionals report to and co-operate with the HSE information about abuse and serious neglect.
Given the close link between the legislative programmes of my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality I have regular contact with my colleague Minister Shatter in this regard. In addition, officials from my Department have been meeting and working closely with colleagues in the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure both pieces of legislation are well aligned and complementary. Minister Shatter and I have also worked closely to ensure our communications regarding both pieces of legislation are clear. This process will continue.
Last week I received the Report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on the draft Heads of Bill for Children First. My consideration of the Report and any changes to the Heads of Bill is ongoing. My officials will continue to liaise closely with counterparts in the Department of Justice and Equality as both pieces of legislation move through the legislative process.
