Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I will conclude with this point.

Both reports were well completed during the time that this young man was still alive when proper provision could have been made for him. I am sick of hearing the HSE say it will review what occurred to learn what went wrong. The truth is, and it seems to me, that over the past decade with all the tragedies that have resulted from the gross failures of our child care and protection services, no real lessons have been learned and nothing has changed. We need this independent investigation so the truth is known as to how this young man was dealt with and what went wrong. We in this House should then consider the radical changes necessary to ensure we put in place child protection structures that truly protect children.

The last thing I will say this evening in the restricted time I have is to ask the Minister of State to confirm to the House that before we get to the end of this week three people will be appointed to conduct the inquiry that is necessary and that the results of that inquiry will be fully published. I ask him to give serious consideration for the first time in the context of an inquiry of this nature to making it a public inquiry. Let us have full transparency and accountability for the manner in which our child care services are failing.

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