Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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We are now back in public session. We will have a presentation this afternoon from representatives of Tusla. I welcome CEO, Mr. Fred McBride, chief operations officer, Mr. Jim Gibson, director of transformation and policy, Mr. Cormac Quinlan, service director, Dr. Aisling Gillen and service director for Dublin and the mid-Leinster area, Ms Patricia Finlay. I thank them for coming here this afternoon at short notice. The committee is also grateful to the witnesses for agreeing to a shorter meeting this afternoon. I also welcome members and viewers who may be watching these proceedings on Oireachtas TV.

Before we commence and in accordance with procedure, I am required to draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence.

They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members to switch off their mobile phones - which I forgot to do - because it will interfere with the sound systems. It affects the ability of the parliamentary reporters to record what people are saying. It makes it hard for people watching or listening at home to pick up what is being said.

I advise witnesses that submissions or opening statements they have made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. After the presentations, there will be a series of questions from members for approximately one hour and 50 minutes until 4 o'clock.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss HIQA's report and the investigation into the management of allegations of child sex abuse against adults of concern by the Child and Family Agency upon the direction of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The report arose from the RTÉ "Prime Time" programme which revealed that Tusla had sent notification to An Garda Síochána, containing a false allegation of child sex abuse against a Garda whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe. In light of these circumstances and concern about more systematic issues that might require a response at national level, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, instructed HIQA to carry out a statutory investigation under the Health Act 2007. The HIQA board approved this investigation which began in March 2017.

The investigation report was published yesterday and made a number of recommendations to improve safety, quality and standards of services provided by Tusla regarding referrals of allegation of child abuse involving adults of concern.

As Chairman, I take the opportunity to thank HIQA for the speed with which it dealt with this statutory inquiry. To complete a statutory inquiry into such a large organisation in just under a year is no small feat. I thank HIQA for its very significant input into the activities of Tusla and the policies surrounding it, underpinned by legislation passed by these Houses.

Before I invite Mr. McBride to make his opening statement, I note for the members the comprehensive document prepared by the secretariat and circulated to them. If they have an opportunity, they should read it.