| Statement 
            by the Taoiseach on the Dáil Motion on the Report of the Commission 
            of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, in Dáil 
            Éireann By Taoiseach Enda KennyJuly 20, 2011
 [The text of this historic speech, as delivered by the Taoiseach 
              of the Republic of Ireland, differs from the versions posted on 
              the Taoiseach's website and published elsewhere. Below we provide 
              our transcript of the 
              speech as it was spoken and streamed on YouTube by RTÉ. 
              This is the authoritative text, exactly as it was delivered by Taoiseach 
              Enda Kenny before Dáil Éireann. There are dozens of 
              differences between the speech as it was delivered and the speech 
              as it has been transcribed and quoted elsewhere. Most importantly, 
              the much-quoted attribution of "narcissism" to the Vatican 
              was not in the speech as delivered. 
              
                |  |  
                | "This is the 'Republic' of 
                  Ireland 2011." — Taoiseach Enda Kenny at 5:29 in 
                  his speech about the Cloyne report on July 20, 2011, before 
                  Dáil Éireann. Click the image to view the 
                  speech. |  After our accurate transcript, we provide the versions of the speech 
              that were posted on the 
              Taoiseach's website and published 
              by the Irish Times, and at the bottom of this webpage, we provide 
              a "tracked" 
              version of the speech, showing how the Taoiseach's posted version 
              differed from the spoken version. On another webpage, we provide 
              the speech as it was transcribed 
              on the Dáil's website. The Dáil's version also 
              includes transcripts of the debate by Deputies in the Dáil. Note on Sources: Kenny's Latin adage: Roma locuta est: causa 
              finita est means "Rome has spoken: the case is closed." 
              It is a rough paraphrase of St. Augustine, Sermon 81/130, para. 
              10. Kenny quotes Cardinal 
              Josef Ratzinger's Instruction, Donum Veritatis, On 
              the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian, para. 39, issued on 
              May 24, 1990, when Ratzinger was Prefect of the Congregation for 
              the Doctrine of the Faith.]   Verbatim 
              Transcript of the Taoiseach's Speech As It Was Delivered Streamed on YouTube by RTÉTranscribed by BishopAccountability.org
 July 20, 2011
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo5MXrqbDeA [Wherever possible, the spacing and punctuation of the version 
              posted on the Taoiseach's website have been preserved.] I move the motion, Ceann Comhairle [Seán Barrett, chairman 
              of the Dáil Éireann]. The revelations of the Cloyne report have brought the Government, 
              Irish Catholics and the Vatican to an unprecedented juncture. It's fair to say that after the Ryan and the Murphy Reports Ireland 
              is, perhaps, unshockable when it comes to the abuse of children. But Cloyne has proved to be of a different order. Because for the first time in this country, a report into child 
              sexual-abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See, to frustrate an 
              Inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic...as little as three 
              years ago, not three decades ago. And in doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, the 
              disconnection, the elitism .......that dominate the culture of the 
              Vatican today. The rape and the torture of children were downplayed or 'managed' 
              to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, its 
              standing and its 'reputation'. Far from listening to evidence of humiliation and betrayal with 
              St Benedict's "ear of the heart"...the Vatican's reaction 
              was to parse and analyse it with the gimlet eye of a canon lawyer This calculated, withering position being the polar opposite of 
              the radicalism, the humility and the compassion upon which the Roman 
              Church was founded. The radicalism, the humility and the compassion which are the very 
              essence of its foundation and its purpose. The behaviour being a case of Roma 
              locuta est: causa finita est. Except in this instance, Ceann Comhairle, nothing could be further 
              from the truth.   Cloyne's revelations are heart-breaking. It describes how many 
              victims continued to live in the small towns and parishes in which 
              they were reared and in which they were abused... Their abuser often 
              still in the area and still held in high regard by their families 
              and their community. The abusers continued to officiate at family 
              weddings and funerals... In one case, the abuser even officiated 
              at the victim's own wedding... There is little that I or anyone else in this House can say to 
              comfort that victim or others, however much we want to. But we can 
              and do recognise the bravery and the courage of all of the victims 
              who told their stories to the Commission. While it will take a long time for Cloyne to recover from the horrors 
              uncovered, it could take the victims and their families a lifetime 
              to pick up the pieces of their shattered existence, if ever they 
              do.   A day post-publication of the report, the Tánaiste and Minister 
              for Foreign Affairs and Trade met with the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, 
              Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza. The Tánaiste left the Archbishop clear on two things:The gravity of the actions and the attitude of the Holy See.
 And Ireland's complete rejection and abhorrence of same.The Papal Nuncio undertook to present the Cloyne Report to the Vatican.
 The Government now awaits the considered response of the Holy See. I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful 
              Catholics who - like me - have been shocked and dismayed by the 
              repeated failings of Church authorities to face up to what is required, 
              what is deserved, and they require confirmation from the Vatican 
              that they do accept, endorse and require compliance by all Church 
              authorities here with the obligations to report all cases of suspected 
              abuse, whether current or historical, to the State's authorities 
              in line with the Childrens First National Guidance which will have 
              the force of law.   Clericalism has rendered some of Ireland's brightest, and most 
              privileged and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to address 
              the horrors cited in the Ryan and the Murphy Reports.This Roman Clericalism must be devastating for good priests.... 
              some of them old... others struggling to keep their humanity....even 
              their sanity........as they work hard.....to be the keepers of the 
              Church's light and goodness within their parishes...... within their 
              communities... and as a condition of the human heart.
   Thankfully for them, and for us, this is not Rome.Nor is it industrial-school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish 
              of a soutane smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of 
              a thurible ruled the Irish-Catholic world.
 This is the 'Republic' of Ireland 2011.
 A Republic of laws.....of rights and responsibilities....of proper 
              civic order..... where the delinquency and the arrogance of a particular 
              version..... of a particular kind of 'morality'..... will no longer 
              be tolerated or ignored. As a practising Catholic, I don't say any of this easily.Growing up, many of us in here learned that we were part of a pilgrim 
              Church.
 Today, that Church needs to be a penitent Church.A church, truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, 
              that it hid and that it denied.
 In the name of God. But for the good of the institution. When I say that through our legislation..... through our Government's 
              action to put Children First.......those who have been abused might 
              take some small comfort in knowing that they belong to a nation.....to 
              a democracy......where....humanity......power...rights...... and 
              responsibilities..... are enshrined and enacted .....always....always.... 
              for their good. Where the law - their law - as citizens of this country, will always 
              supercede canon law that have neither legitimacy nor place in the 
              affairs of this country.   This report tells us a tale of a frankly brazen disregard for protecting 
              children. If we do not respond swiftly and appropriately as a State, 
              we will have to prepare ourselves for more reports like this. I agree with Bishop Diarmuid Martin that the Church needs to publish 
              any other and all other reports like this as soon as possible. I must note the Commission is very positive about the work of the 
              National Board for Safeguarding Children, established by the Church 
              to oversee the operation by Dioceses and religious orders. The Commission 
              notes that all Church authorities were required to sign a contract 
              with the National Board agreeing to implement the relevant standards 
              and that those refusing to sign would be named in the Board's Annual 
              Report. Progress has been in no small measure to the commitment 
              of Mr Ian Elliott and others. There is some small comfort to be drawn by the people of Cloyne 
              from the fact that the Commission is complimentary of the efforts 
              made by the Diocese since 2008, in training, in vetting personnel 
              and in the risk management of Priests against whom allegations have 
              been made. Nevertheless, the behaviour of Bishop Magee and Monsignor 
              O'Callaghan show how fragile even good standards and policies are 
              to the weakness and the willful disregard of those who fail to give 
              the right priority to safeguarding our children. If the Vatican needs to get its house in order, so too does the 
              State. The Report of the Commission is rightly critical of the entirely 
              unsatisfactory position in which the last Government allowed to 
              persist over many years. The unseemly bickering between the Minister 
              for Children and the HSE over the statutory powers to deal with 
              extra-familial abuse, the failure to produce legislation to enable 
              the exchange of soft information as promised after the Ferns Enquiry, 
              and the long period of confusion and disjointed responsibility for 
              child protection within the HSE, as reported by the Commission, 
              are simply not acceptable to me nor in a society which values children 
              and their safety. For too long Ireland has neglected some of its children. Just last week we saw a case of the torture of children, within 
              the family, come before the courts. Just two days ago, we were repulsed 
              by the case of a Donegal registered sex offender...and school caretaker... Children and young adults reduced, Ceann Comhairle, to human wreckage.Raising questions and issues of serious import for State agencies.
 We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State 
              is doing all it can to safeguard our children. Minister Shatter is bringing forward two pieces of legislation 
              - firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information relating 
              to crimes against children and vulnerable adults; and secondly, 
              at long last, to allow for the exchange of 'soft information' on 
              abusers. As Taoiseach, I want to do all that I can to protect the sacred 
              space of childhood and to restore its innocence. Especially our young teenagers.Because regardless of our current economic crisis, the children 
              of this country are, and always will be, our most precious possession 
              of all.
  And safeguarding their integrity and their innocence must be a 
              national priority. That is why I undertook to create a Cabinet ministry 
              for Children and Youth Affairs. The legislation 'Children First' proposes to give our children 
              maximum protection and security without intruding on the hectic, 
              magical business of being a child.   Cardinal Josef Ratzinger said"Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings 
              of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church."
 As the Holy See prepares its considered response to the Cloyne 
              Report, I want to make it clear, as Taoiseach, that when it comes 
              to the protection of the children of this State, the standards of 
              conduct which the Church deems appropriate to itself, cannot and 
              will not, be applied to the workings of democracy and civil society 
              in this republic. Not purely, or simply or otherwise. Because CHILDREN have to be, and will be, put FIRST.   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   Statement 
              by the Taoiseach on the Dáil Motion on the report of the 
              Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, 
              in Dáil Éireann  [This is the text posted on the Taoiseach's website.] July 20, 2011 http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Government_Press_Office/Taoiseach%27s_Speeches_20111/Statement_by_the_Taoiseach_on_the_D%C3%A1il_Motion
 _on_the_report_of_the_Commission_of_Investigation_into_the_Catholic_Diocese_of_Cloyne,
 _in_D%C3%A1il_%C3%89ireann,_.html
 I move the motion. The revelations of the Cloyne report have brought the Government, 
              Irish Catholics and the Vatican to an unprecedented juncture. It's fair to say that after the Ryan and Murphy Reports Ireland 
              is, perhaps, unshockable when it comes to the abuse of children. But Cloyne has proved to be of a different order. Because for the first time in Ireland, a report into child sexual-abuse 
              exposes an attempt by the Holy See, to frustrate an Inquiry in a 
              sovereign, democratic republic...as little as three years ago, not 
              three decades ago. And in doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, disconnection, 
              elitism....the narcissism .......that dominate the culture of the 
              Vatican to this day. The rape and torture of children were downplayed or 'managed' to 
              uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, standing 
              and 'reputation'. Far from listening to evidence of humiliation and betrayal with 
              St Benedict's "ear of the heart"......the Vatican's reaction 
              was to parse and analyse it with the gimlet eye of a canon lawyer. This calculated, withering position being the polar opposite of 
              the radicalism, humility and compassion upon which the Roman Church 
              was founded. The radicalism, humility and compassion which are the very essence 
              of its foundation and purpose. The behaviour being a case of Roma locuta est: causa finita est. Except in this instance, nothing could be further from the truth. VictimsCloyne's revelations are heart-breaking. It describes how many victims 
              continued to live in the small towns and parishes in which they 
              were reared and in which they were abused... Their abuser often 
              still in the area and still held in high regard by their families 
              and the community. The abusers continued to officiate at family 
              weddings and funerals... In one case, the abuser even officiated 
              at the victim's own wedding...
 There is little I or anyone else in this House can say to comfort 
              that victim or others, however much we want to. But we can and do 
              recognise the bravery of all of the victims who told their stories 
              to the Commission. While it will take a long time for Cloyne to recover from the horrors 
              uncovered, it could take the victims and their families a lifetime 
              to pick up the pieces of their shattered existence. Papal NuncioA day post-publication, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign 
              Affairs and Trade met with the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop 
              Giuseppe Leanza.
 The Tánaiste left the Archbishop clear on two things:The gravity of the actions and attitude of the Holy See.
 And Ireland's complete rejection and abhorrence of same.The Papal Nuncio undertook to present the Cloyne Report to the Vatican.
 The Government awaits the considered response of the Holy See. I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful 
              Catholics who - like me - have been shocked and dismayed by the 
              repeated failings of Church authorities to face up to what is required, 
              deserve and require confirmation from the Vatican that they do accept, 
              endorse and require compliance by all Church authorities here with, 
              the obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether 
              current or historical, to the State's authorities in line with the 
              Children First National Guidance which will have the force of law. ClericalismClericalism has rendered some of Ireland's brightest, most privileged 
              and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to address the horrors 
              cited in the Ryan and Murphy Reports.
 This Roman Clericalism must be devastating for good priests.... 
              some of them old... others struggling to keep their humanity....even 
              their sanity........as they work so hard.....to be the keepers of 
              the Church's light and goodness within their parishes...... communities... 
              the human heart.
 Church & StateBut thankfully for them, and for us, this is not Rome.
 Nor is it industrial-school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish 
              of a soutane smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of 
              a thurible ruled the Irish-Catholic world.
 This is the 'Republic' of Ireland 2011.
 A Republic of laws.....of rights and responsibilities....of proper 
              civic order..... where the delinquency and arrogance of a particular 
              version..... of a particular kind of 'morality'..... will no longer 
              be tolerated or ignored. As a practising Catholic, I don't say any of this easily.Growing up, many of us in here learned we were part of a pilgrim 
              Church.
 Today, that Church needs to be a penitent Church.A church, truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, 
              hid and denied.
 In the name of God. But for the good of the institution. When I say that through our legislation..... through our Government's 
              action to put Children First.......those who have been abused can 
              take some small comfort in knowing that they belong to a nation.....to 
              a democracy......where....humanity......power...rights...... responsibility..... 
              are enshrined and enacted .....always....always.... for their good. Where the law - their law - as citizens of this country, will always 
              supercede canon laws that have neither legitimacy nor place in the 
              affairs of this country. State/SocietyThis report tells us a tale of a frankly brazen disregard for protecting 
              children. If we do not respond swiftly and appropriately as a State, 
              we will have to prepare ourselves for more reports like this.
 I agree with Archbishop Martin that the Church needs to publish 
              any other and all other reports like this as soon as possible. I must note the Commission is very positive about the work of the 
              National Board for Safeguarding Children, established by the Church 
              to oversee the operation by Dioceses and religious orders. The Commission 
              notes that all Church authorities were required to sign a contract 
              with the National Board agreeing to implement the relevant standards 
              and that those refusing to sign would be named in the Board's Annual 
              Report. Progress has been in no small measure to the commitment 
              of Ian Elliott and others. There is some small comfort to be drawn by the people of Cloyne 
              from the fact that the Commission is complimentary of the efforts 
              made by the Diocese since 2008, in training, in vetting personnel 
              and in the risk management of Priests against whom allegations have 
              been made. Nevertheless, the behaviour of Bishop Magee and Monsignor 
              O'Callaghan show how fragile even good standards and policies are 
              to the weakness and willful disregard of those who fail to give 
              the right priority to safeguarding our children. But if the Vatican needs to get its house in order, so does this 
              State. The Report of the Commission is rightly critical of the entirely 
              unsatisfactory position which the last Government allowed to persist 
              over many years. The unseemly bickering between the Minister for 
              Children and the HSE over the statutory powers to deal with extra-familial 
              abuse, the failure to produce legislation to enable the exchange 
              of soft information as promised after the Ferns Enquiry, and the 
              long period of confusion and disjointed responsibility for child 
              protection within the HSE, as reported by the Commission, are simply 
              not acceptable in a society which values children and their safety. For too long Ireland has neglected its children. Just last week we saw a case of the torture of children, within 
              the family, come before the courts. Just two days ago, we were repulsed 
              by the case of a Donegal registered sex offender...and school caretaker... Children and young adults reduced to human wreckage.Raising questions and issues of serious import for State agencies.
 We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State 
              is doing all it can to safeguard our children. Minister Shatter is bringing forward two pieces of legislation 
              - firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information relating 
              to crimes against children and vulnerable adults; and secondly, 
              at long last, to allow for the exchange of 'soft information' on 
              abusers. As Taoiseach, I want to do all I can to protect the sacred space 
              of childhood and to restore its innocence. Especially our young teenagers, whom I believe to be children.Because regardless of our current economic crisis, the children 
              of this country are, and always will be, our most precious possession 
              of all.
 Safeguarding their integrity and innocence must be a national priority. 
              This is why I undertook to create a Cabinet ministry for Children 
              and Youth Affairs. The legislation 'Children First' proposes to give our children 
              maximum protection and security without intruding on the hectic, 
              magical business of being a child.Conclusion
 Cardinal Josef Ratzinger said
 "Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings 
              of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church."
 As the Holy See prepares its considered response to the Cloyne 
              Report, as Taoiseach, I am making it absolutely clear, that when 
              it comes to the protection of the children of this State, the standards 
              of conduct which the Church deems appropriate to itself, cannot 
              and will not, be applied to the workings of democracy and civil 
              society in this republic. Not purely, or simply or otherwise. CHILDREN.... FIRST. ENDS.    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   This 
              is a republic, not the Vatican
 Irish Times
 July 21, 2011 Thursday
 Never before has the head of an Irish government spoken of the 
              Vatican in such terms as Enda Kenny did yesterday. This is what 
              he said: THE REVELATIONS of the Cloyne report have brought the Government, 
              Irish Catholics and the Vatican to an unprecedented juncture. It 
              s fair to say that after the Ryan and Murphy reports Ireland is, 
              perhaps, unshockable when it comes to the abuse of children. But Cloyne has proved to be of a different order. Because for the first time in Ireland, a report into child sexual 
              abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See, to frustrate an inquiry 
              in a sovereign, democratic republic as little as three years ago, 
              not three decades ago. And in doing so, the Cloyne report excavates the dysfunction, disconnection, 
              elitism the narcissism that dominate the culture of the Vatican 
              to this day. The rape and torture of children were downplayed or 
              managed to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, 
              standing and reputation . Far from listening to evidence of humiliation and betrayal with 
              St Benedict s ear of the heart , the Vatican s reaction was to parse 
              and analyse it with the gimlet eye of a canon lawyer. This calculated, 
              withering position being the polar opposite of the radicalism, humility 
              and compassion upon which the Roman Church was founded. The radicalism, humility and compassion which are the very essence 
              of its foundation and purpose. The behaviour being a case of Roma 
              locuta est: causa finita est. Except in this instance, nothing could be further from the truth. Cloyne s revelations are heart-breaking. It describes how many 
              victims continued to live in the small towns and parishes in which 
              they were reared and in which they were abused. Their abuser often 
              still in the area and still held in high regard by their families 
              and the community. The abusers continued to officiate at family 
              weddings and funerals. In one case, the abuser even officiated at 
              the victim s own wedding. There is little I or anyone else in this House can say to comfort 
              that victim or others, however much we want to. But we can and do 
              recognise the bravery of all of the victims who told their stories 
              to the commission. While it will take a long time for Cloyne to recover from the horrors 
              uncovered, it could take the victims and their families a lifetime 
              to pick up the pieces of their shattered existence. A DAY POST publication, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign 
              Affairs and Trade met with the papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop 
              Giuseppe Leanza. The Tánaiste left the archbishop clear on 
              two things: The gravity of the actions and attitude of the Holy See; and Ireland s complete rejection and abhorrence of same. The Papal Nuncio undertook to present the Cloyne report to the 
              Vatican. The Government awaits the considered response of the Holy 
              See. I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful 
              Catholics who like me have been shocked and dismayed by the repeated 
              failings of church authorities to face up to what is required, deserve 
              and require confirmation from the Vatican that they do accept, endorse 
              and require compliance by all church authorities here with, the 
              obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether current 
              or historical, to the State s authorities in line with the Children 
              First national guidance which will have the force of law. Clericalism has rendered some of Ireland s brightest, most privileged 
              and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to address the horrors 
              cited in the Ryan and Murphy reports. This Roman clericalism must be devastating for good priests, some 
              of them old; others struggling to keep their humanity, even their 
              sanity, as they work so hard to be the keepers of the church s light 
              and goodness within their parishes, [their] communities [and within] 
              the human heart. But thankfully for them, and for us, this is not Rome. Nor is it industrial-school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish 
              of a soutane smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of 
              a thurible ruled the Irish-Catholic world. This is the Republic of Ireland 2011. A republic of laws, of rights and responsibilities; of proper civic 
              order; where the delinquency and arrogance of a particular version, 
              of a particular kind of morality, will no longer be tolerated or 
              ignored. As a practising Catholic, I don't say any of this easily. Growing up, many of us in here learned we were part of a pilgrim 
              church. Today, that church needs to be a penitent church. A church, 
              truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, hid and 
              denied. In the name of God. But for the good of the institution. 
              When I say that through our legislation, through our Government 
              s action to put children first, those who have been abused can take 
              some small comfort in knowing that they belong to a nation, to a 
              democracy where humanity, power, rights, responsibility are enshrined 
              and enacted always, always for their good. Where the law their law 
              as citizens of this country, will always supersede canon laws that 
              have neither legitimacy nor place in the affairs of this country. This report tells us a tale of a frankly brazen disregard for protecting 
              children. If we do not respond swiftly and appropriately as a State, 
              we will have to prepare ourselves for more reports like this. I agree with Archbishop Martin that the church needs to publish 
              any other and all other reports like this as soon as possible. I must note the commission is very positive about the work of the 
              National Board for Safeguarding Children, established by the church 
              to oversee the operation by dioceses and religious orders. The commission 
              notes that all church authorities were required to sign a contract 
              with the national board agreeing to implement the relevant standards 
              and that those refusing to sign would be named in the board s annual 
              report. Progress has been in no small measure [due] to the commitment of 
              Ian Elliott and others. There is some small comfort to be drawn 
              by the people of Cloyne from the fact that the commission is complimentary 
              of the efforts made by the diocese since 2008, in training, in vetting 
              personnel and in the risk management of priests against whom allegations 
              have been made. Nevertheless, the behaviour of Bishop Magee and Monsignor O Callaghan 
              show how fragile even good standards and policies are to the weakness 
              and wilful disregard of those who fail to give the right priority 
              to safeguarding our children. BUT IF THE Vatican needs to get its house in order, so does this 
              State. The report of the commission is rightly critical of the entirely 
              unsatisfactory position which the last government allowed to persist 
              over many years. The unseemly bickering between the minister for children and the 
              HSE over the statutory powers to deal with extra-familial abuse, 
              the failure to produce legislation to enable the exchange of soft 
              information as promised after the Ferns inquiry, and the long period 
              of confusion and disjointed responsibility for child protection 
              within the HSE, as reported by the commission, are simply not acceptable 
              in a society which values children and their safety. For too long Ireland has neglected its children. Just last week we saw a case of the torture of children, within 
              the family, come before the courts. Just two days ago, we were repulsed 
              by the case of a Donegal registered sex offender and school caretaker 
              children and young adults reduced to human wreckage raising questions 
              and issues of serious import for State agencies. We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State 
              is doing all it can to safeguard our children. Minister [for Justice Alan] Shatter is bringing forward two pieces 
              of legislation firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information 
              relating to crimes against children and vulnerable adults; and secondly, 
              at long last, to allow for the exchange of soft information on abusers. As Taoiseach, I want to do all I can to protect the sacred space 
              of childhood and to restore its innocence, especially our young 
              teenagers, whom I believe to be children, because regardless of 
              our current economic crisis, the children of this country are, and 
              always will be, our most precious possession of all. Safeguarding their integrity and innocence must be a national priority. 
              This is why I undertook to create a Cabinet ministry for children 
              and youth affairs. The legislation Children First proposes to give 
              our children maximum protection and security without intruding on 
              the hectic, magical business of being a child. Cardinal Josef Ratzinger [the current Pope Benedict] said: Standards 
              of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy 
              cannot be purely and simply applied to the church. As the Holy See prepares its considered response to the Cloyne 
              report, as Taoiseach, I am making it absolutely clear, that when 
              it comes to the protection of the children of this State, the standards 
              of conduct which the church deems appropriate to itself, cannot 
              and will not, be applied to the workings of democracy and civil 
              society in this republic. Not purely, or simply or otherwise. Children . . . First.   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   Statement 
              by the Taoiseach on the Dáil Motion on the report of the 
              Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, 
              in Dáil Éireann  [The following text is the version posted on the Taoiseach's website, 
              marked up to indicate the difference between the posted text and 
              the text as the Taoiseach delivered it. Additions in the speech 
              as delivered are in red. Words and 
              phrases deleted from the posted text are crossed 
              out and rendered in red.] July 20, 2011 I move the motion, Ceann Comhairle [Seán 
              Barrett, chairman of Dáil Éireann]. The revelations of the Cloyne report have brought the Government, 
              Irish Catholics and the Vatican to an unprecedented juncture. It's fair to say that after the Ryan and the 
              Murphy Reports Ireland is, perhaps, unshockable when it comes to 
              the abuse of children. But Cloyne has proved to be of a different order. Because for the first time in this country 
              Ireland, a report into child sexual-abuse 
              exposes an attempt by the Holy See, to frustrate an Inquiry in a 
              sovereign, democratic republic...as little as three years ago, not 
              three decades ago. And in doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, the 
              disconnection, the elitism....the 
              narcissism.......that dominate the culture of the 
              Vatican to this day. The rape and the torture of children 
              were downplayed or 'managed' to uphold instead, the primacy of the 
              institution, its power, its 
              standing and its 'reputation'. Far from listening to evidence of humiliation and betrayal with 
              St Benedict's "ear of the heart"......the Vatican's reaction 
              was to parse and analyse it with the gimlet eye of a canon lawyer. This calculated, withering position being the polar opposite of 
              the radicalism, the humility and the 
              compassion upon which the Roman Church was founded. The radicalism, the humility and the 
              compassion which are the very essence of its foundation and purpose. The behaviour being a case of Roma locuta est: causa finita est. Except in this instance, Ceann Comhairle, 
              nothing could be further from the truth. VictimsCloyne's revelations are heart-breaking. It describes how many victims 
              continued to live in the small towns and parishes in which they 
              were reared and in which they were abused... Their abuser often 
              still in the area and still held in high regard by their families 
              and their community. The abusers continued 
              to officiate at family weddings and funerals... In one case, the 
              abuser even officiated at the victim's own wedding...
 There is little that I or anyone else 
              in this House can say to comfort that victim or others, however 
              much we want to. But we can and do recognise the bravery and 
              the courage of all of the victims who told their stories 
              to the Commission. While it will take a long time for Cloyne to recover from the horrors 
              uncovered, it could take the victims and their families a lifetime 
              to pick up the pieces of their shattered existence, if 
              ever they do. Papal NuncioA day post-publication of the report, 
              the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met 
              with the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza.
 The Tánaiste left the Archbishop clear on two things:The gravity of the actions and the 
              attitude of the Holy See.
 And Ireland's complete rejection and abhorrence of same.The Papal Nuncio undertook to present the Cloyne Report to the Vatican.
 The Government now awaits the considered 
              response of the Holy See. I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful 
              Catholics who - like me - have been shocked and dismayed by the 
              repeated failings of Church authorities to face up to what is required, 
              what is deserved, 
              and they require confirmation from 
              the Vatican that they do accept, endorse and require compliance 
              by all Church authorities here with,the obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether 
              current or historical, to the State's authorities in line with the 
              Childrens First National Guidance which 
              will have the force of law. ClericalismClericalism has rendered some of Ireland's brightest, and 
              most privileged and powerful men, either unwilling or unable to 
              address the horrors cited in the Ryan and the 
              Murphy Reports.
 This Roman Clericalism must be devastating for good priests.... 
              some of them old... others struggling to keep their humanity....even 
              their sanity........as they work so hard.....to be the keepers of 
              the Church's light and goodness within their parishes...... within 
              their communities... and as 
              a condition of the human heart.
 Church & State
 But tThankfully 
              for them, and for us, this is not Rome.Nor is it industrial-school or Magdalene Ireland, where the swish 
              of a soutane smothered conscience and humanity and the swing of 
              a thurible ruled the Irish-Catholic world.
 This is the 'Republic' of Ireland 2011.
 A Republic of laws.....of rights and responsibilities....of proper 
              civic order..... where the delinquency and the 
              arrogance of a particular version..... of a particular kind of 'morality'..... 
              will no longer be tolerated or ignored. As a practising Catholic, I don't say any of this easily.Growing up, many of us in here learned that 
              we were part of a pilgrim Church.
 Today, that Church needs to be a penitent Church.A church, truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, 
              that it hid and that 
              it denied.
 In the name of God. But for the good of the institution. When I say that through our legislation..... through our Government's 
              action to put Children First.......those who have been abused canmight take some small 
              comfort in knowing that they belong to a nation.....to a democracy......where....humanity......power...rights...... 
              and responsibilitiesy..... 
              are enshrined and enacted .....always....always.... for their good. Where the law - their law - as citizens of this country, will always 
              supercede canon laws that have neither legitimacy nor place in the 
              affairs of this country. State/SocietyThis report tells us a tale of a frankly brazen disregard for protecting 
              children. If we do not respond swiftly and appropriately as a State, 
              we will have to prepare ourselves for more reports like this.
 I agree with ArchbBishop 
              Diarmuid Martin that the Church needs 
              to publish any other and all other reports like this as soon as 
              possible. I must note the Commission is very positive about the work of the 
              National Board for Safeguarding Children, established by the Church 
              to oversee the operation by Dioceses and religious orders. The Commission 
              notes that all Church authorities were required to sign a contract 
              with the National Board agreeing to implement the relevant standards 
              and that those refusing to sign would be named in the Board's Annual 
              Report. Progress has been in no small measure to the commitment 
              of Mr Ian Elliott and others. There is some small comfort to be drawn by the people of Cloyne 
              from the fact that the Commission is complimentary of the efforts 
              made by the Diocese since 2008, in training, in vetting personnel 
              and in the risk management of Priests against whom allegations have 
              been made. Nevertheless, the behaviour of Bishop Magee and Monsignor 
              O'Callaghan show how fragile even good standards and policies are 
              to the weakness and the willful disregard 
              of those who fail to give the right priority to safeguarding our 
              children. But iIf 
              the Vatican needs to get its house in order, so too 
              does theisState.
 The Report of the Commission is rightly critical of the entirely 
              unsatisfactory position in which the 
              last Government allowed to persist over many years. The unseemly 
              bickering between the Minister for Children and the HSE over the 
              statutory powers to deal with extra-familial abuse, the failure 
              to produce legislation to enable the exchange of soft information 
              as promised after the Ferns Enquiry, and the long period of confusion 
              and disjointed responsibility for child protection within the HSE, 
              as reported by the Commission, are simply not acceptable to 
              me nor in a society which values children and their safety. For too long Ireland has neglected some of 
              its children. Just last week we saw a case of the torture of children, within 
              the family, come before the courts. Just two days ago, we were repulsed 
              by the case of a Donegal registered sex offender...and school caretaker... Children and young adults reduced, 
              Ceann Comhairle, to human wreckage.Raising questions and issues of serious import for State agencies.
 We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State 
              is doing all it can to safeguard our children. Minister Shatter is bringing forward two pieces of legislation 
              - firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information relating 
              to crimes against children and vulnerable adults; and secondly, 
              at long last, to allow for the exchange of 'soft information' on 
              abusers. As Taoiseach, I want to do all that 
              I can to protect the sacred space of childhood and to restore its 
              innocence. Especially our young teenagers, whom I believe 
              to be children.Because regardless of our current economic crisis, the children 
              of this country are, and always will be, our most precious possession 
              of all.
 And Ssafeguarding 
              their integrity and their innocence 
              must be a national priority. ThatThisis why I undertook to create a Cabinet ministry for Children 
              and Youth Affairs. The legislation 'Children First' proposes to give our children 
              maximum protection and security without intruding on the hectic, 
              magical business of being a child.
 ConclusionCardinal Josef Ratzinger said
 "Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings 
              of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church."
 As the Holy See prepares its considered response to the Cloyne 
              Report, I want to make it clear, as 
              Taoiseach, I am making it absolutely clear, that when it comes to the protection of the children of this 
              State, the standards of conduct which the Church deems appropriate 
              to itself, cannot and will not, be applied to the workings of democracy 
              and civil society in this republic. Not purely, or simply or otherwise. Because CHILDREN.... have 
              to be, and will be, put FIRST.                                             |