Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale694

to the proposal. The complex issues relating to mandatory reporting were

acknowledged by Mr Currie in a detailed presentation in Seanad Éireann on

14 March 1996.

On 6 November 1996, Mr Currie stated in Dáil Éireann that over two

hundred submissions from groups and individuals had been received in re-

sponse to Putting Children First, that the submissions reflected a wide diver-

sity of views on mandatory reporting and that the majority expressed reser-

vations or opposition to mandatory reporting. Following these consultations,

which, among other things, drew attention to various complex issues relating

to the advisability and feasibility of mandatory reporting (including use of

resources, professional judgment, the types of abuse that should be subject to

mandatory reporting and who should become mandated reporters), the Irish

Government decided not to introduce it in a formal way but instead to issue

guidelines for the reporting of suspected child abuse by professionals and

non-professionals, postponing any further consideration of mandatory re-

porting for three years. Given that the Irish Government of the day decided

not to legislate on the matter, it is difficult to see how Archbishop Storero's

letter to the Irish Bishops, which was issued subsequently, could possibly be

construed as having somehow subverted Irish law or undermined the Irish

State in its efforts to deal with the problem in question.

The Holy See notes that in a statement in Dáil Éireann on 25 March 1997,

the then Minister for Health, Mr Michael Noonan, explained why the Gov-

ernment of the day had decided not to introduce mandatory reporting. He

recognized that all who participated in the relevant consultative process,

including those who expressed reservations or were opposed to mandatory

reporting, had the "best interests of children" as their "paramount concern".

Explaining the Government's decision he stated: "However, it was suggested in

a number of submissions that sight should not be lost of a person's right to his or

her good name in dealing with the reporting of child abuse and the Minister of

State was conscious of the need to maintain an appropriate balance in developing

the initiatives outlined." Thus, the reservations expressed by the Congregation

for the Clergy about mandatory reporting were in line with those expressed

at the time by various professional groups and individuals in Ireland, includ-

ing members of the Irish Government.

It should also be noted that in reply to a question posed by Deputy Liz

O'Donnell, Mr Noonan added: "The Minister of State has proceeded to strength-

en the framework and he has also talked about establishing a body, such as an