Laws on suspected paedophiles a year late

LAWS allowing gardaí, schools, sports clubs and health authorities exchange so-called “soft-information” about suspected paedophiles are to be published later this month – almost a year later than promised.

Legislation was promised as a matter of priority in January 2009 following revelations of child abuse in the diocese of Cloyne. The Government promised it would be published before last July and passed through the Dáil in the second half of last year.

Before the end of this month Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, now intends to bring before the cabinet the draft heads of the Bill giving a statutory basis to vet people for suitability to work with children.