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Micheal Martin has called for a statutory, independent and transparent inquiry into allegations of historic sexual abuse in Scouting organisations.<\/p>\nMicheal Martin has called for a statutory, independent and transparent inquiry into allegations of historic sexual abuse in Scouting organisations.<\/p>\n
An RTE program, due to be broadcast tonight, reveals former scouts who alleged they were abused while members of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scouting Association of Ireland have expressed concerns that Scouting Ireland has been allowed to carry out its own review of the complaints.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes an extraordinary degree of resilience, courage, and dignity to survive and to cope with the lifelong challenges that that trauma imposes,\u201d opposition leader Mr Martin said during leaders questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, in this country, we\u2019ve witnessed a terrible history of child sexual abuse in Ireland. Within many institutions and within many families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why there\u2019s a fundamental moral obligation to protect and respond resolutely and transparently to allegations of child abuse within national organisations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said Scouting Ireland, which was formed in a merger of the two groups in 2004, states in its historic review that some perpetrators moved from one location to another, and in one case between two different organisations, using the example of a former scout leader, who is now a convicted sex offender and abused up to 60 young boys.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear files went missing. It took years and years for Scouting Ireland to commence this investigation,\u201d Mr Martin added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do confirm that there\u2019s indications in their own internal review of extensive, prolonged and organised child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m asking you to give a commitment now that the government would have to establish a statutory, independent inquiry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s imperative that an inquiry be statutory, be independent and be transparent and made public, and shouldn\u2019t be conducted by the organisation itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to matters of this nature and crimes against children of a sexual nature, an organisation investigating themselves is not adequate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach replied that crimes against children are among the most heinous, and those in a sexual nature against children are particularly unspeakable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has been aware of these issues for some time, and has been engaging with Scouting Ireland to ensure that their current child protection safeguarding policies are fit for purpose, and are greatly enhanced from those in forbear organisations among those which you mentioned,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything continues to be done to ensure that the many thousands of children who attend scouts around the country are safe protected and free to enjoy themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to bear in mind that this is abuse that occurred in the 70s and 80s by organisations that no longer exist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere may be other investigations under way. Garda investigation, for example, because these are crimes and crimes that can be prosecuted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese organisations been replaced by a different organisation now called Scouting Ireland and (Children\u2019s) Minister (Katherine) Zappone has commissioned a review of governance and safeguarding in Scouting Ireland, and she has made a number of recommendations that have now been implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I will certainly take what you said on board.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will discuss the Minister Zappone and we will come to a decision in the near future, as to what the best way to proceed is, and that may well be such investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n