Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

My intention was to object to the Order of Business but the Ceann Comhairle has dealt with that matter.

Does the Minister of State with responsibility for children intend to come to the House today to make a statement to the Dáil following the laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas by Deputy Alan Shatter yesterday of a report into an appalling case of neglect by the State? If ever I saw a classic example of why the House is wrong in how it does its business it was yesterday when the HSE was deemed to be the organisation to deal with this matter when it should involve ministerial accountability.

We understand from this morning's news bulletins that 20 reports have been completed on cases similar to the case which Deputy Shatter laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday. I want to hear from the Minister of State with responsibility for children. When was he informed of these reports? How many does he have in his possession? When does he intend to publish them? This is a classic case of the worst kind of hands-off politics I have ever seen. Everybody in the country has been criticising the Catholic Church for covering up child sexual abuse and rightly so as those matters should be published. What is the difference between that and the HSE and the Minister of State with responsibility for children covering up reports that indicate serious, appalling and fundamental State neglect of children in care? It is a shocking indictment of Ireland in 2010.

I understand that 20 children died while in the care of the State. I want the Minister of State with responsibility for children in the House this evening to answer on this and speak out. This is his duty. If we cannot look after the children of our nation, what business do we have being in here? The Order of Business should be set aside as Deputy Ó Caoláin suggested. This matter goes to the heart of our very being and our very Irishness. The very least the Minister of State with responsibility for children can do is come here and put on the record when he was informed of these 20 reports, how many he has in his possession and when they will be published. When will the House have an opportunity to debate and put in place structures and procedures to prevent this from happening again?

This morning, we heard from child experts that, at present, children are very vulnerable and may experience this tragic precedent. We know it happened and we know it is happening. Let us for God's sake put politics aside and do something about it. Will the Minister of State with responsibility for children come to House so we can hear what he has to say?

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