Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
670. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the serious incident review that she and the Minister for Justice and Equality commissioned in 2018 into the handling of alleged incidences of child sexual abuse in the Munster area. [6449/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the serious incident review that she commissioned in 2018 into the handling of alleged incidences of child sexual abuse in the Munster area. [6768/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 670 and 680 together.
The Deputy is referring to an independent review of the management of a complex and serious case of alleged child abuse and neglect involving sixteen children in four families, which I intended to commission, with the agreement of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
This review was intended to be a short, focused, independent ‘Serious Incident’ review of the actions taken in the case, acknowledging the fact that there is no evidence of any mishandling of the case by either Tusla or An Garda Síochána.
Terms of reference for such a review were drawn up last year following work by my officials and officials in the Department of Justice and Equality, with the assistance of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr Geoffrey Shannon.
Given the complex and unusual nature of this case, and, above all, the importance of ensuring that this non-statutory review does not risk prejudicing the on-going investigation and criminal prosecution, these Terms of Reference were jointly submitted by Minister Flanagan and I for the consideration of the Attorney General.
Having considered all relevant matters surrounding the proposed review, the Attorney General has recommended that no such review be undertaken at this time. The Attorney General cited a number of considerations, most notably the significant potential for the review to have a prejudicial effect on ongoing criminal proceedings.
In light of the Attorney General’s advice, Minister Flanagan and I have agreed to postpone the review rather than risk affecting matters before the courts. Matters may be revisited at a later date to determine if further action is warranted and, if so, the form that such action might take.
