Minister: Care inquiry shows Jersey can "face up to difficulty"

Friday 14 July 2017

Jersey's External Relations Minister has said he hopes the damning Care Inquiry report will show to those outside the island that it can deal with difficult issues.

Senator Sir Philip Bailhache made his comments during a scrutiny panel hearing yesterday.

He was asked by St John Constable Chris Taylor who asked if the report could have "an adverse impact on Jersey external affairs."

The Minister replied: "I think that there are very disturbing findings that will have to be dealt with in due course. But generally, from an international point of view, I think Jersey will be seen to have grasped the unpleasant situation. It was a difficult inquiry to conduct, the report that was published is not entirely flattering. But I believe it reflects credit on the way we face up to difficulty and deal with it."

 The Report published last week revealed serious failings in the childcare and fostering system from the 1940s to 2010s. Sir Philip was criticised in the report for his comments about child abuse he made during a Liberation Day speech - he subsequently issued an apology. 

As part of the yesterday's hearing with the Corporate Services Panel, Sir Philip also gave an update on how the Brexit negotiations are going. He indicated that his department continues to engage with the UK government and the Brexit working group and will continue to have "more detailed discussions" with officials as things progress. 

He also explained that he hopes to see Jersey's membership within trade organisations secured by the end of the year and that his department "...has made it clear to officials in the UK government that we would like the arrangements they make in the future to have facility to be extended to Jersey."

Sir Philip also added that his ministry had "expanded" after they "...acquired a few more officials" bringing the total to 24, 14 people working in Jersey and another 10 working in London, Brussels and Caen.