The Government is expected to set up a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Derry O'Rourke child abuse cases, following the refusal of his victims and their families to take part in the independent investigation announced last week.
After intensive discussions on the matter at the weekend between the Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Attorney General, Mr David Byrne, senior Government sources last night said they believed clearance for the judicial inquiry will be given by the Cabinet tomorrow.
Dr McDaid is expected to formally propose to his Cabinet colleagues a judicial inquiry, or tribunal, which will have the authority to compel witnesses to attend and acquire relevant documentation.
Announcing an independent inquiry last week into the handling by the Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA) of O'Rourke's abuses, Dr McDaid said he believed a "moral compellability" would force witnesses to attend but that he would revisit the question if the investigation failed to produce the truth.
However, while the swimming association said it would co-operate fully with the inquiry, O'Rourke's victims and their families strongly resisted the proposal, saying it lacked the necessary legal powers. Amid growing scepticism over the efficacy of a non-judicial investigation, Dr McDaid and his officials met the Attorney General on Friday evening, along with representatives of the Taoiseach's Department.
The Minister gave the Attorney General all his files on the matter and had further discussions on Saturday with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste. Government sources last night said the view was gaining momentum that it should agree to a judicial inquiry expeditiously rather than having to resort to such an investigation at a later date.Meanwhile, it is understood the IASA has already proposed the name of a chairman for the independent inquiry. In a statement, the IASA said yesterday ithad agreed to introduce "further measures for additional child-protection procedures for implementation in all its clubs".
Following a meeting, the association said it was determined to strengthen procedures to help ensure the protection and safety of children and help prevent any recurrence "of the terrible events which have had a traumatic effect on the lives of young people who have participated in the sport of swimming".
According to the IASA, the new measures include the appointment of a child protection officer who would, a spokeswoman said, "deal with complaints and advise on how to handle allegations". The IASA also proposes annual screening of all its personnel and to issue all members with "child-protection information".
A child-protection seminar is to be held in each province each year and all teacher and coach courses will in future include the IASA code of ethics and the "code of ethics and good practice in children's sport in Ireland" which was published by the Department of Education in 1996.