Mr. Tony O'Brien:

If I was unclear in my first answer, I need to restate it. I know the Deputy will allow me to do so. I referred in my first answer, when the Deputy asked me for what I was apologising, to a specific decision that was made to leave Grace in the foster home in the 1990s. This was made by a three-person panel, for want of a better word, and those three persons are no longer in the public service to be clear about that.

The Conal Devine report was commissioned specifically to lay out in full unvarnished detail who did what and when, and would be the basis upon which any action in the disciplinary space would be taken. From the outset of its commencement, there was close liaison with An Garda Síochána, and it was always understood and intended that the report would be published and available, whatever action may be necessary.

However, since its conclusion in 2012, it has not been possible to use it for that purpose, and that is why no disciplinary action has been proceeded with on foot of the Conal Devine report.