Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I commend Deputy Alan Shatter for tabling this motion. As a Deputy for the area, I feel very uncomfortable, unqualified but compelled to highlight this most shocking revelation of neglect and physical and sexual abuse suffered by the six children in Roscommon. I am calling on the Government to appoint an independent commission to investigate this matter. It is completely inappropriate that the HSE essentially investigates itself. Many of those employed by the former Western Health Board now form part of the HSE structure and I believe many of the issues will not be investigated unless an independent commission is appointed.

Last year, when the terrible Joseph Fritzel incest case was uncovered in Austria, many Irish people found it difficult to understand how this abuse could have been allowed to continue. I was in Austria on vacation last summer and I recall sitting in the square of a small village where there were very neat houses in evidence, young children at play, everything organised, traffic calming, schools, churches, etc. People appeared to be extraordinarily friendly and competent, so that one wondered how this could have possibly happened. The village in west Roscommon is exactly the same. People all over the country are wondering how this could have happened in a village such as this.

There was a catalogue as regards serious concern and neglect in 1996. The emotional abuse question was raised with the social services after the birth of the family's fourth child. The health authorities provide periodic family support and home help as well as public help nurse and social worker support. I find it hard to understand the fact that the health authorities unsuccessfully sought to have the restraining order lifted and the High Court, seemingly, made a decision that appears to have run in the face of common sense. One area I have difficulty with is the role of the campaigner, who objected to the health board's approach and said that the mother needed support, not intrusive action. Part of the proposed investigation should examine what is referred to here as an ultra right-wing conservative Catholic campaigner. I do not know, but I find it very difficult to believe. Mr. Gannon, speaking on behalf of the health board, said he believed that this lady's organisation had given financial and other support to the mother of these children. Regardless of whether it is appropriate, I believe this should be investigated.

The local Garda sergeant believes the full truth may never come out, but we have to ensure that it does. He believes that the children, although they have been so courageous, may not be able to deal with the full truth. People are pointing the blame at HSE officials, the school board of management etc. As a politician for the area, I must accept some of the blame because I believe we are all in this together — parents, teachers, the HSE and the Garda. As a politician, I must accept some of the blame for what happened. I believe we have to ensure that an independent commission is set up to investigate all the matters pertaining to these horrible and sickening incidents. I do not want to lay the blame on Government politicians but I am very uneasy speaking on this subject.

The locals, who put their faith in the system, talk about the lovely children and say their heart is broken on their behalf. For members of the community their heart is broken too at not having done anything about the situation. They felt helpless, being reluctant to intrude on the rights of the family. They put their trust in the system, which we all represent, and it not only let down the community but, more importantly, the children in this horrible incident.

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