A Sinn Féin TD has today revealed that Sinn Féin has procedures in place since the early 1990s in relation to child protection.
The party's environment Spokesperson and TD for Laois-Offaly, Brian Stanley, was defending Sinn Féin's credibility on the issue of child abuse, following Mairia Cahill's allegations of a sexual abuse cover-up.
Deputy Stanley said he believed party leader Gerry Adams would follow Sinn Féin policy on the matter.
"I've seen Gerry Adams in situations, dealing with situations like this, internally or externally - he's always been very upfront - and I'm going to be very upfront about it as a Sinn Féin TD," he said.
"There can be no place in Sinn Féin or in any other political party - or indeed any organisation, community sport and anywhere else - for people who are involved in, in any way, sexual abuse."