Fitzgerald: Further clerical abuse investigations not ruled out

Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald has indicated that there may be other investigations into clerical child sex abuse in Ireland following yesterday's publication of the damning report into the Cloyne diocese.

Minister Fitzgerald today said the the commissioning of further investigations depends on the findings of an audit currently being carried out by the HSE.

The minister also said that complaints are still being made against members of the clergy and they too will be taken into account when making a decision on further inquiries.

"Depending on what arises, I would not rule out looking at other dioceses," she said.

Minister Fitzgerald also welcomed Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore's expected request of a formal meeting with the Papal Nuncio, the Pope's representative in Ireland.

"This is a not a catalogue of failure from a different era," she said in reference to the Cloyne report.

"This is not about Ireland of 50 years ago - this is about now.

"This is not about words - it is about action."