Government Arrogance Forces Laffoy Resignation

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday September 04, 2003 14:00 by Magneto - Labour Party head_office at labour dot ie 17 Ely Place Dublin 2 678 4700

Response to Laffoy crisis displays contempt and arrogance

Jan O'Sullivan TD
Spokesperson on Education and Science

The statement this afternoon from the Minister for Education regarding the resignation of the Chairperson of the Laffoy Commission is entirely unsatisfactory and demands a response from the Taoiseach as leader of the Government.

People who have been victims of abuse, and the community at large, are entitled as of right to know why Judge Laffoy has resigned, and the refusal of the Government to publish all the relevant correspondence immediately not only proves they have something to hide, but is an unbelievable example of contempt and arrogance. Clearly they intend to cobble together some defence before publishing the Judge’s resignation letter.

It is unacceptable for the Minister to suggest that the Government will not discuss this for another week when they are currently meeting in Cabinet in Co. Laois. Why has the Cabinet not discussed the urgent situation today? Do the victims of abuse not deserve that?

The Minister’s pledge that the Redress Board will continue to pay compensation has nothing to do with this matter or the workings of the Laffoy Commission. The Redress Board is a separate body which has no bearing on Justice Laffoy’s inquiry.

The Minister’s statement that he has discussed with the Commission the proposed review does not tally with what he said on the radio yesterday. When did he consult Justice Laffoy and how often did he so in recent days?

The Minister has not addressed the suspension by the Laffoy Commission of its Investigation Committee which is the kernel of the problem. Nor has he outlined whether and when Justice Laffoy will be replaced. Nor has he indicated when the review of the operations of the Commission will begin or be completed.

The cack-handed approach of the Minister for Education to reviewing the operations of the Commission has been astonishing. He has now further added to the confusion and uncertainty which exists about the resignation by refusing to publish the judge’s letter to the Government for another week. The public is entitled to answers from the Taoiseach, as head of Government, about this deepening crisis.


ENDS

03/09/2003, 03:31 PM