Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all agree it was difficult in this situation for An Garda Síochána to get the balance right. Obviously, protecting vulnerable children and children at risk is a priority for all of us, but we also have to recognise people's basic human rights. As I stated in my introduction, there were two cases, in Athlone and Tallaght.

It must be pointed out that there are also data protection issues, because those children were no sooner taken into care than it was fully across the media. I ask the Minister whether he has contacted the Data Protection Commissioner in that regard. He might comment on the matter.

For me it is not about the allocation of blame, but there must be proper accountability, given that there is impending legal action or that it has been flagged.

The Minister stated that he is awaiting the Garda Commissioner's report, which I believe he will receive on Friday next. Specifically, that report needs to spell out what was the immediate risk based on which An Garda Síochána engaged section 12 of the 1991 Child Care Act, why the HSE was not asked to conduct an assessment and why other children in the same locations from the same community were not taken.

The Minister stated that he had asked the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan, to produce a report. Why has he not tied in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman to conduct a joint report, given that office's expertise in investigating the activities of An Garda Síochána? Both offices have dovetailed on previous assignments.

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