Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was not here when the original allegations were brought to light. The work Deputy Deasy and the Chairman have done reveals an appalling catalogue of failures by the HSE and the arrogance of the attitude that all it has to do is circle the wagons and defend its system.

We are discussing the sexual exploitation of vulnerable people. The matter must be kept on the agenda and we must ensure it is pursued to the greatest level of accountability possible. It should go to the Taoiseach's office as an example of a State body that defends its ethos and protects its people rather than acknowledging what has happened and going out of its way to ensure it never happens again. This defensiveness - pulling down the shutters and refusing to say openly what the situation is, acknowledge it accurately and take steps to deal with it - is the worst thing in a public body. In such a situation, it must be pursued at whatever level. I welcome the suggestion that we write to the Garda Commissioner to ascertain whether it can be examined in terms of criminal negligence.