Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his answer. I welcome the meeting between the Minister, the Acting Garda Commissioner and the two families. These incidents took place against a backdrop of scandalous media coverage of the Roma community. The two cases in this jurisdiction are clear examples of racial profiling by the Garda Síochána and the State. Under the Child Care Act, gardaí must have reasonable grounds for believing that there is an immediate and serious risk to the child before taking such action. Yet, as the Taoiseach has acknowledged, no such risk existed in these cases. If it did, why were the children with blonde hair and blue eyes taken away? Why were all the children not taken away if there was a risk to the children in these families?

The speed of intervention in these two cases was in marked contrast to other cases. Just a week before these incidents, the Ombudsman for Children revealed that the HSE failed to intervene over several years after a child made multiple allegations of rape. Another report revealed that 4,100 children assessed by the HSE as needing intervention had to wait for more than three months.

I welcome the Taoiseach's answer If we are to be serious about social integration, however, all the proper processes and procedures, such as training and education, need to be put in place for public servants, including An Garda Síochána. As a gesture to those people who have come to our shores and particularly those who have suffered this injustice, the Taoiseach should apologise - as the Minister will - to the families on behalf of the State.

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