Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned the 50,000 children who are being minded privately in homes across the country because they were apparently not covered by the initial heads of the Children First Bill. Issues clearly arise in that sector given the breach of trust that has been exposed in the creches under investigation.

The issue of when Garda investigations take place is very serious. I acknowledge, to be fair, that we are not dealing with the types of abuse experienced in other institutions in the past but when allegations were made about individuals in these settings and the Garda commenced a formal investigative process, people were suspended from interacting with children while the investigations were under way. The crèches under investigation should either remain closed while the investigations are ongoing or else additional interventions should be made by the HSE and others to remove any doubt that the children in their care may be vulnerable to emotional abuse or cruelty. The response has to be robust to send a clear message that the kind of behaviour uncovered is unacceptable and has consequences. That in itself would help immediately by sending a wake up call to every facility, including the many good ones. The response to the events that have been uncovered should signify a watershed in how these unacceptable activities are dealt with.

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