"I welcome the publication of the Report of the Ferns Inquiry. I would again like to say how sorry I am for my inadequacies and for my failings and ask for forgiveness for them.
I answered comprehensively the questions asked of me throughout the Ferns Inquiry to the best of my ability and the Inquiry has acknowledged the high level of co-operation received from me throughout the process.
The Inquiry has concluded that my responses as Bishop of Ferns were inadequate to many of the allegations of child sexual abuse. It has also concluded that I was negligent in my handling of some of these and in particular that of Fr Seán Fortune.
At the time of my resignation I acknowledged my failings in this regard and I do so again now and I apologise to those who suffered as a result of my failings and whose suffering was increased by them.
While I acknowledge and regret my failings, I emphasise that these were not deliberate but rather were human failings.
In the light of the comprehensiveness of the report I will be making no further statements in respect of any of these matters, but I would urge people to read the report."