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

This is fundamentally not the case. There are two elements to this: there is the issue of a criminal investigation, and the issue of reporting this to the HSE, at the time, and now to Tusla. There is a fundamental issue with regard to protecting children right now. Those who abused people are still at large and could abuse others within their families, neighbourhoods or communities.

The fundamental point I want to put to the Minister is this. Given the fact that we have faced up to this before with regard to different institutions, I ask the Government to give serious consideration to establishing a commission of inquiry into the allegations of the "Spotlight" programme and wider issue of how Sinn Féin as an entity dealt with allegations of child abuse. We know from the events in Ferns and Cloyne that where co-operation is forthcoming, these inquiries can be expeditious and efficient and can get to the truth of the matter. That can happen where there is co-operation, full disclosure and the provision of information to such a commission of inquiry. There are different ways of doing that, and it is time we had such a commission.

See this speech in context