The terms of reference of an inquiry into the handling of allegations of child sex abuse in the Diocese of Ferns were published yesterday by the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin.
The Murphy inquiry will be in private and be conducted by a chairman and two specialist members. The inquiry will be non-statutory to allow it to design its own procedures. The members have already begun viewing documents and will start hearing witnesses at a future date.
"The foundations for this inquiry were laid by the report of Mr George Birmingham SC, who outlined the most effective way of conducting the inquiry," the Minister said.
The terms of reference would facilitate a focused and effective inquiry, he added.
The inquiry will identify what complaints or allegations have been made against clergy operating in the Diocese of Ferns in relation to alleged events prior to April 10th, 2002.
The terms of reference also require the investigation to consider whether the response by church authorities or any public authorities when complaints were made was adequate or appropriate.
It will also identify any possible shortcomings in the existing legislation and make recommendations for change.
The inquiry is expected to make an interim report in a year if the full report is not completed. It will then issue the full report to the Minister who will bring it before the Oireachtas.
On April 4th last year, Mr Birmingham was appointed by the Minister to examine the type of inquiry that should be held.
Mr Martin announced the inquiry following a meeting in Kilkenny with victims of the late Father Seán Fortune and the parents of a girl abused by Father Jim Grennan at Monageer in 1998. Previously, there had also been a BBC documentary Suing the Pope which had examined allegations.
In preparing the report, Mr Birmingham spoke to victims and he also held discussions with the church authorities, the health board, and the Garda Síochána.
He also examined other claims in Ferns, including allegations made against the former president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Mgr Micheál Ledwith, a priest of the Ferns diocese.
The chairman of the inquiry is the retired Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Frank Murphy.
Dr Helen Buckley has been appointed as a specialist in child protection issues. She is a senior research fellow and senior lecturer in the Department of Social Studies, Trinity College, Dulbin.
Dr Laraine Joyce, the deputy director of the Office for Health Management, has been appointed to assist in reviewing the structures and management of the organisations coming within the scope of the inquiry.
The Apostolic Administrator to Ferns Diocese, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, welcomed the publication of the terms of reference of the Murphy inquiry. He said the diocese was committed "to extending to Mr Justice Frank Murphy and his team full co-operation". This would help establish the full truth and contribute to the healing process of those who have been so dreadfully abused, Dr Walsh said.