Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach

Estimates for Public Services 2021 (Resumed)
Vote 1 - President's Establishment (Revised)
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)
Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General (Revised)
Vote 4 - Central Statistics Office (Revised)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised)
Vote 6 - Office of the Chief State Solicitor (Revised)

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State might also remind him of two other matters. I raised it with previous holders of the office of Taoiseach when they came before the committee, so I am not doing anything extraordinary in raising it here again with the Minister of State representing the Taoiseach. I refer to the Grace case and the 46 other cases which are being dealt with by the Department of Health. It is shocking that the State would not show more compassion in respect of those cases. These were non-verbal, mentally challenged young men and women. We do not know the outcome. While the investigations are ongoing, it has now been years spent on this. As Head of Government, I ask the Taoiseach to ensure this is brought to a speedy conclusion, not just for Grace, as she was known, but for the other 46 individuals. It is a reflection on the Government when we do not show this type of compassion and understanding in cases like these. I ask that the Minister of State ensures he is given that information.

As for the whistleblowing legislation, which this committee is undertaking to review on foot of the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, it is greatly important that there be a whole-of-government intervention in this regard because it does not pertain to just one Department but will spread across numerous Departments, as it has done. There are still outstanding cases being fought in the courts. There is one case in particular about which I have spoken to the Taoiseach and the Minister. It is to do with a whistleblower in Cork Institute of Technology, CIT.

When these matters are not dealt with, they linger on and affect the lives of people, whether they are those generally associated with the Grace case or the individual in the CIT case, as well as other whistleblowers. It is likewise with the Shane O’Farrell case. Perhaps driven through the Taoiseach’s office, we should be establishing a more efficient manner in dealing with all of these matters in order that they can be heard publicly and we can learn from the processes and give some closure and comfort to the families and individuals concerned.

As I have said to the Minister of State previously, I have raised this matter with the Tánaiste, Deputy Varadkar, when he was Taoiseach, and the former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, when they were before the committee. My intention was to raise it with the current Taoiseach, who is not before us. Perhaps the Minister of State will take it to the Office of the Taoiseach and ensure that we get some sort of response.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.