Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Without warning on 5 March, gardaí took the five children of Padraig and Mary O'Hara into care on foot of a court order obtained by the HSE in the Kells area. Of the children, four are autistic and their separation from their parents and a well established routine was traumatic. The parents were required to submit to psychiatric examination despite the possession by officials of a clinical psychology report testifying to their good parenting and character. Since four of their children were diagnosed with autism four years ago, the O'Haras have been engaged in a struggle for basic services with the HSE, which threatened reprisals if the parents went public about their difficulties. More than seven weeks after the court ordered the immediate return of the children to their parents, no official at any level of the HSE has lifted a telephone to call the O'Haras, whose children had supposedly been at risk.

Why was this family treated brutally through an act of bureaucratic vindictiveness? This was a grossly excessive abuse of authority. The O'Haras are not alone in the treatment they have received from persons acting in the name of the HSE. Does the Taoiseach agree that an investigation by a competent person into the HSE's handling of the case is necessary? Will the Taoiseach provide an assurance that no further threat will hang over the family in the absence of any allegation of wrongdoing on their part? I stress that the O'Haras have been commended on their diligence and care of their children as the clinical psychology report testifies.

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