Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 June 2012
20 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the operation of the child response Ireland policy since its introduction; the number of child abduction incidents to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29755/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert is a system which enables An Garda Síochána to seek the assistance of members of the public in circumstances where a child has been abducted and there is a reasonable belief that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child. The system was launched by myself and the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on 25 May, 2012, International Missing Children Day. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been no Alerts initiated in the short period since its launch.
CRI Alerts may only be initiated by an Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and only when the following criteria are met:
1. The child is under the age of eighteen years;
2. There is a reasonable belief that the child has been abducted;
3. There is a reasonable belief that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child;
4. There is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist An Garda Síochána in locating the child.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities to date in 2012 (to 14 June) eight incidents of alleged child abductions have been reported to An Garda Síochána, one of which transpired to be an attempted abduction of the child, who was not taken or harmed. In five of the incidents the children were recovered safe and well and investigations are ongoing in the remaining two incidents, which relate to parental abductions, where it is suspected the children concerned are in the company of a parent and have been removed from this jurisdiction.
