Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I do not have any problem with that at all. I do apologise to those families, and particularly the children, who had to put up with these events. As I said, the report recommends that the Minister for Justice and Equality should make an apology to the families. The Minister will do so. These kinds of events should not happen to anybody in our jurisdiction. Nobody can afford to stand over that or can stand over it.

It is important to recognise that a good deal of progress has been made over the last period. For instance, all of those people who have come to our shores, have been here for a number of years and want to become Irish citizens are now formally given that opportunity at an official civil ceremony with a member of the Judiciary present. All the proper protocols are put in place so that people from other countries who come here can have Irish citizenship bestowed upon them. I appreciate that very much. In previous years, they had to attend the District or Circuit Court. Between cases of assault or theft being heard, they had to make a case to say they were there to become an Irish citizen. That stressful position has been taken away and people are now given proper accommodation and a ceremony to grant them Irish citizenship.

As regards the cases referred to by the Deputy, a good deal of work mus be done by the Garda Síochána, society as a whole and our education system in mentoring and understanding the languages and different cultural backgrounds that these and other people come from. That is all part of the process. While it is unfortunate that this has happened, the State is amenable to accepting the full report and all its recommendations, as well as issuing an apology. In meeting the parents and having a press conference with the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Logan, the Minister will do that. Ms Logan's report was completed speedily, efficiently, competently and comprehensively.

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