BishopAccountability.org
	Andrews Pledges Laws for Full Disclosure of Abuse Data By Caroline O'Doherty Irish Examiner January 25, 2009 http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=82828-qqqx=1.asp CHILDREN'S Minister Barry Andrews has repeated his pledge to move within months to have laws allowing the disclosure of "soft information" about child sex abuse, amid concerns vital intelligence is being shelved. The minister reached agreement with the Catholic bishops at the weekend on a temporary way to enable the senior churchmen filter the information they provide to the Health Service Executive (HSE) about abuse allegations against religious in their dioceses. The arrangement allows them hand over proven facts and figures about incidents without having to include details of unproven allegations, until laws are enacted to allow the exchange of such soft information without fear of being pursued for slander. Lack of legal protection was cited as the reason many bishops failed to complete a HSE audit form distributed two years ago, Section 5 of which required them to give details of allegations and the actions taken as a result. At their weekend meeting with Mr Andrews, Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin agreed on behalf of the bishops that Section 5 would be filled out by all bishops, excluding soft information which would be supplied when the new legislation was in place. Abuse survivors group One in Four welcomed the move, but warned it did not yield an immediate solution. Director Maeve Lewis said: "Our concern would be what happens in the interim. What happens to information that might come to light this week? Is it just put aside and left there without any action taken?" The HSE defended its role in the failed audit exercise. Senior official Laverne McGuinness said: "We weren't able to get the information that was required in relation to the audit for legal reasons, but I understand as of yesterday that that information is going to be submitted to the HSE." No spokesperson for the bishops was available to say how soon the Section 5s would be completed.
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