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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Public Inquiries.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

522 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if all the files sought by the Birmingham investigation in the Ferns inquiry were made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20047/02]

During the course of Mr. Birmingham's work in relation to the proposed inquiry concerning the handling of allegations of child sex abuse in the diocese of Ferns the co-operation of the church, the Garda Síochána and the health board was requested. This co-operation was forthcoming. The church provided approximately 5,000 documents to Mr. Birmingham and he was assured that this comprised all the relevant documentation held by the diocese except those to which legal professional privilege attached. The Garda Síochána also made all relevant files available. In relation to the health board the issue was sensitive because the records may have indicated therapeutic relationships with the victims. Following discussions between Mr. Birmingham and the board it was agreed that the board would extract basic information from the files and that individual clients would be asked for their consent to the release of their files. A small number of clients gave their consent.

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