Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

This is not happening on a once-off basis. I must be thankful that at least they are there, although they are not trained for it and do not have the know-how to deal with such situations. It is a far cry from a case conference with multidisciplinary agencies involved in child care. I am not a professional in this area but I have been out long enough to see a lot of things happen. It is that bad now. I know what I am saying. Unless it is implemented on the ground, having all the legislation in the world is no use. As Deputies Brian Hayes and Shatter stated, the true test is to make the entire range of facilities available during emergencies. Being unavailable day or night would be the weakest link in the chain.

Regarding the annual figures released by child support and inquiry lines, not every telephone call is bona fide. I have no way of knowing the details, but I assume that some of the calls are frivolous. That there is a yearly increase in the number of those who call for help, however, shows how society is not kind to the people in question. The saddest feature of the issue is that, despite our affluence and while I am unable to provide researched figures, I can say anecdotally that there is more child abuse of a certain type than was the case previously, namely, child neglect rather than sexual abuse. When most people consider child abuse, they refer to child sexual abuse. It would be foolish of us to believe that child sexual abuse has abated, but child neglect is increasing significantly. I do not know why this is the case. Parents and the wider community are supposed to be better educated and to have access to facilities to which their own parents did not, but the situation on the ground is different. We must review the education system. It is not a sexy comment to make and will not send writers rushing for their biros.

Those who assume responsibility for raising children do so under better circumstances than prevailed 25 or 30 years ago. They live in better houses and most have better forms of transport. If so, why do so many four year olds and five year olds sometimes not see their parents or guardians for two days? These are the facts. We can blame everyone, and the Government is far from blameless because the HSE has authority in this regard. The Government was unable to make the investment in the system necessary to protect the most vulnerable people during our years of affluence. Why would the State turn its back on, for example, an innocent five year old?

We are debating a motion to allow the commission to continue its work, in respect of which I congratulate it. It has been examining what was unarguably one of Ireland's murkiest periods. I hope that everyone associated with the savage regime will be brought before the courts according to due process. It is remarkable that, despite having addressed one historical black spot, the State cannot answer questions concerning the abuses that are still being perpetrated within families. The State has no control.

Deputy Shatter mentioned that there is no shortage of legislation. Its implementation, however, has always been difficult. We must consider the significant pressures placed on families, as the situation extends beyond children alone. Irrespective of whichever Act is in place, we must ensure that the chain is not broken in terms of administration or service delivery at 5 p.m., 10 a.m. or 3 a.m. The last place children at risk should be at night is in Garda stations. We must thank the Garda for doing this job when no one else would.

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