Spiritans abuse and inquiry
Deputy Bacik raised the Spiritans abuse at Blackrock College, welcomed the apology and independent process, and argued that a public inquiry and attention to current allegations are still needed. The Taoiseach said any new information should go to the Garda immediately, that criminal accountability must come first, and that the impact of an inquiry on live cases would need assessment.
I wish to raise the issue of the Spiritans and the horrific abuse of children perpetrated at Blackrock College. I am glad that, in response to my question yesterday, the Taoiseach has committed to a debate on the matter in the House next week. I welcome the apology from the Spiritans this morning and the announcement of an independent process, but we still need to consider having a public inquiry, particularly to see what the State could have done to prevent the abuse.
We also need to consider current concerns. News is breaking about a person against whom serious allegations of abuse have been made and who is living on the grounds of Blackrock College. I have been supplied with the name of that person and I understand he is living in Willow Park Lodge. There are current issues around child protection concerns that an inquiry needs to look into. I look forward to having a debate in the House on the nature of any inquiry that needs to be undertaken and the nature of ongoing concerns that many survivors have expressed to me and others in the House.
Comment on this
People should be brought before and held accountable to our criminal justice system. There can be no hiding place for anyone in that respect. That will be an issue we will have to assess in terms of what potentially will be the impact of an inquiry on cases that are live and current and are being proceeded with. I will engage with the Deputy further on the matter.