IRELAND
U.TV
The Ferns Inquiry Report catalogues the horror of how priests abused children in the diocese and how the Church, gardai and local health board failed in their duties, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dail today.
Speaking as the document was published, Mr Ahern vowed that immediate action would be taken to implement the recommendations contained by the dossier.
"It is a catalogue of serial abuse and gross dereliction of duty in the diocese of Ferns," he told TDs during Leaders` Questions.
"I think it is shocking to everybody`s sense of how children should be protected.
"Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families. The report brings out the full horror of their situation ... and catalogues the continuing failure to respond adequately in Ferns until recent years.
"It`s obviously shocking that it went for decades."
Mr Ahern also said that the Irish government accepted the Report`s recommendations in principle and would work towards implementing them immediately.