James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I accept that. Ministers are quick to accept praise when things go well, but they will not take responsibility when things go badly. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, or the Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, should apologise to these children. The HSE apology should not be the only one. Why have the Children First guidelines not been implemented on a statutory basis? When will that happen? One cannot expect the public to have any faith in the guidelines until they are given such a basis. The HSE is not fit for purpose, especially when it comes to child care. Reference has already been made to the many reports that have been published. I will not make that point again other than to say that no one is being held to account or made responsible. The subliminal message that is being transmitted is that the HSE should carry on regardless. When will the referendum on children's rights be held? When will the Children First guidelines be placed on a statutory basis? Can we have new protocols within those guidelines to ensure the litany of failures by social workers that has been outlined - reports were not signed and went missing, etc. - is corrected? I ask the Minister of State to answer those three questions.

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