Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Will the Minister of State clarify what he meant - if I understood him properly - by stating that the DF and TF cases were being treated as one case? They are two very different cases.

Other countries are much quicker at completing these investigations and publishing reports. The cases referred to by the Minister of State date from 2000, 2002 and 2003. Will the Minister give us an undertaking that he will ensure information is put into the public arena as soon as possible where that can be done? Specifically on the reports the Minister described as being completed or where no further action is required, are there recommendations in those that can be put into the public arena? I accept that it might not be possible to put facts on specific cases into the public domain but there must be recommendations on some cases that could be put into the public arena. Is there a procedure in place for children who are at risk of death or serious harm within the child protection service and the service for children in care so that a mechanism can be put in place wherever there are signs that a child is at serious risk? Are there procedures in place in order to prevent the deaths of such children?

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