Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. We are here to discuss governance issues following the recent high-profile case, which we will not go into. I have several questions. If I am jumping from one topic to another, I ask forgiveness.

What is the time taken between Tusla's being informed of an allegation of child sex abuse and the passing on of the information to the Garda, taking into account any correction that needs to be made? Is the timeframe between nine months and 12 months? Could the witnesses confirm that? Does Tusla have or is it in need of a comprehensive and robust legal framework that could assist with and prescribe its legal limits and obligations? Is this not absolutely necessary at this point?

Tusla has swiftly apologised for what has happened. The public will thank it for that. This contrasts with the other scandal of our time, that of the Catholic Church, which demonstrated an inability to apologise immediately. There has been a decline in people's trust and confidence in the Catholic Church since the old days. The implication is that Tusla's credibility has been shot to pieces. I rate it at 10%, if that. Perhaps that is being generous. Public and staff confidence has declined. The staff to be employed and those waiting to be posted will need much more reassurance from the agency. The agency has given an outright apology but the witnesses should be aware that this matter could be ongoing until it is resolved. I do not know what the resolution will be but the agency's credibility is certainly at stake.

Can the witnesses assure the committee categorically that there is no undue, nefarious influence on any of Tusla's staff to skew or act with malice in any of the cases that have been presented to them?