Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The proposal is that we publish the item. Deputy Carthy has proposed that we request An Garda Síochána to keep us apprised of developments insofar as it can. We have to be careful in respect of GSOC. Obviously, we cannot get involved if it is involved in an inquiry into the matter, but we can ask it for a timeline if agreed. That is as far as we can go. If it is agreed, we will correspond with the chief superintendent and An Garda Síochána and seek a timeline from GSOC. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The final item of correspondence is from Ms Rachel Downes, CEO of Caranua, dated from 15 January 2021, providing information requested by the committee arising from our meeting with representatives of Caranua in December. At last week's meeting, we agreed that Deputy Munster would request the consent of the two survivors to forward their correspondence to the committee, which would then be sent to Caranua for reply.

I ask members to bear in mind that at the beginning of every public meeting, they are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. If the discussion on this item moves to criticism of Caranua or its CEO, who is not here to respond, as Chair I must intervene.

I propose that we proceed with the action we have agreed and that we note and publish the correspondence. Is that agreed? Deputy Munster flagged up the matter and Deputies Carthy and Catherine Murphy had proposed that we would hold over this item for discussion until this public meeting.