Kenny admits Garda inquiries may limit publication of foster home abuse report

By Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent

Enda Kenny has told the Dáil that parts of reports on the shocking South East abuse case could be published, but that some parts might not be made public due to ongoing Garda inquiries.

He also said there had been no discussion at Cabinet today about a redress scheme for the South East families.

Instead, ministers signed off on setting up a Commission of Investigation, which will officially begin its work during the next Dáil.

But Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin questioned whether the commission would be restricted in its work due to the ongoing Garda probe into the South East abuse scandal.

He said that problems with the IBRC Commission of Investigation proved the limitations of such investigations.

A judge may be wary of undermining a Garda inquiry, he added.

Mr Martin described the abuse case as shocking, adding that it was “incomprehensible” that a child should be left for so long in such a “dangerous” home.

The Cabinet was briefed on the concerns about the foster home scandal in the South East by Health Minister Leo Varadkar and Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch, Mr Kenny replied.

He said the “safety and protection of vulnerable people has to be of paramount importance”.