Brian O'Shea
Ceist:45 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the financial remuneration to be paid to the chairman (details supplied) of the independent inquiry into sexual abuse in swimming. [7258/98]
Written Answers. - Child Abuse Inquiry.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:54 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the financial remuneration to be paid to a person (details supplied) for her role in the independent inquiry into sexual abuse in swimming. [7259/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 54 together.
Dr. Roderick Murphy, S.C., was appointed by the Government as the chairman of the independent inquiry into matters relating to child sexual abuse. A senior counsel was also appointed as counsel to the inquiry to assist him on legal matters arising.
Both appointments were made under the aegis of the Office of the Attorney General who have responsibility for their financial remuneration, subject to the sanction of the Minister for Finance.
I understand the remuneration to be paid will depend primarily on the duration of the inquiry and the actual time commitment involved on the part of the chairman and the senior counsel
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:46 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will report on his meeting with victims of a sexual abuse case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4139/98]
On Thursday, 29 January, swimming coach Derry O'Rourke was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, having pleaded guilty to 29 charges of sexual assault relating to 11 girls including unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual assault and indecent assault. On Friday, 30 January, I publicly invited victims of O'Rourke to meet me.
On Monday, 2 February, I had a private meeting, at their request, with a group of ten people which included victims and family members of victims of swimming coach Derry O'Rourke, accompanied by a solicitor.
Members of the group outlined their experiences and their concerns about the handling of allegations of sexual abuse by the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, its Leinster branch and a named club.
At the end of the meeting, a solicitor in attendance with the group outlined certain demands, including an inquiry into the administration of swimming in Ireland, having regard to the handling of child sexual abuse and the provision of counselling for victims who came forward. As the meeting was held in private and the matters raised by the group are now the subject of an independent inquiry into sexual abuse in swimming, I am precluded from commenting further on the matter.