Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for her reply. I am disappointed that the publication of this report is continually being pushed back. A previous response from the Minister concerned the pushing back of a date for the children's referendum.

I am disappointed that the Minister is unable to commit to a clear timeline for the introduction of adoption legislation. How can she be so definite about a referendum date, over which she does not have control, when she cannot give a specific commitment with regard to when the adoption legislation will be produced?

Last summer the Minister told us that the HSE national child protection audit report would be ready by September. During the winter she told us it would be ready by the spring. Now she is telling us it will be ready by the summer. What communication did she have with the HSE when giving these assurances? Was the HSE able to say why the date of publication of the report was continually being pushed back? When the report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on the Diocese of Raphoe was published, the Minister refused to consider any type of independent investigation, pending publication of the audit report, the date for which which we are now seeing being pushed back. Much emphasis has been placed on the voice of the child. However, we are not acknowledging the voices of the many children who were failed by the State and the church. The Minister is waiting for the report before providing a forum to acknowledge their voices and experiences. This delay is not acceptable. What conversation did the Minister have with the HSE before she gave these commitments? Why was the possibility of delay not highlighted to her at that stage?

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