Mr. Pat Healy:

May I respond to that specifically? What appears to be the case and what we could see is that there was consultation between the team locally and the Garda on what could be said - that is why I mentioned the Devine report - in the context of both a Garda investigation and the Devine report. The team was advised that it should talk about serious concerns of care, which is what it did, and vouch for children in the home, or words to that effect. I am not giving the exact wording but paraphrasing. In the context of investigations at the time, associated with the Devine report and, more important, the Garda, those concerned consulted regarding what was to be done, and that is what they did. The gardaí advised them to get the family to speak to the Garda.

I know it is referenced in the report that they spoke to An Garda Síochána. Later, at the end of 2011 when a seven day placement was offered, the family made a choice. Having advised the local health service team and having discussed the matter with the gardaí the family was satisfied to continue with arrangements as they were.