IRELAND
Irish Times
MARY MINIHAN
REACTION: A STATUTORY inquiry into child abuse could be considered “if it fulfils the purpose of protecting children” once ongoing investigations are completed, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has said.
Fianna Fáil called on the Government to establish an independent inquiry with full statutory powers into child abuse in dioceses around the country.
Ms Fitzgerald said a comprehensive picture of how child protection was being practised by the Catholic Church would be provided by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church’s ongoing review of dioceses and religious orders and a HSE national audit.
“If there is a need, if we feel that it fulfils the purpose of protecting children, we can examine whether we need to do something on a statutory basis,” she said.
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