Barrister appointed to chair child sex abuse implementation group

Caroline Biggs SC has been nominated to chair a cross-sectoral implementation group to consider recommendations on how to better tackle child abuse and exploitation in Ireland.

The group will comprise senior officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, An Garda Síochána, Tusla and other Government bodies as required.

The group, reporting to the Cabinet every quarter, will also factor in the views of the Policing Authority and other key stakeholders.

The implementation group has been established following a new Garda Síochána Inspectorate report which found that fewer than half (13) of the 29 recommendations it made in a 2012 report on responding to child sex abuse had been implemented.

Chief Inspector Mark Toland said: “The Inspectorate believe that the pace of implementation needs to increase as less than half of the recommendations are considered implemented.”

Ms Biggs was called to the Bar in 1997 and the inner Bar in 2009. She is an acknowledged expert in criminal law and prosecutes and defends criminal cases on a regular basis. She has a particular interest in the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse and made a written submission to the Garda Inspectorate during their review.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “We need a robust whole-of-government approach if we are to effectively tackle these issues from every angle, with all relevant stakeholders working together in a unified and fully committed manner.

“My officials, working closely with the independent Chair, will now immediately begin the next steps to get the Implementation Group up and running as quickly as possible.”