Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This week saw the publication of the report, Review of Certain Matters Relating to a Disability Service in the South East, also referred to as the Grace case. The Government and the HSE's response to the terrible abuse carried out in a foster home reminds me of the tendency of Governments to think and give the impression that these are isolated instances confined only to one particular part of the country. Allegations of corruption in the Garda investigated as part of the Morris tribunal were seen as a Donegal problem, not a State-wide issue, and we have seen how that has left us. Hence, the Grace case should not be seen as purely a south-east problem. Geography also played a role in previous Government responses to controversies surrounding Áras Attracta, the Catholic Church and mother and baby homes, while in reality similar abuses were being carried out across the country. In light of the Grace case, how can we say that these are isolated instances with any degree of certainty?

We have to act beyond the drip-feed response. We must look beyond geography and investigate the institutional response to allegations of abuse and ensure that best practice is carried out across the board. So far, we have been made aware that institutional responses have been, to say the least, inadequate and, to say the worst, abusive in nature. Some in authority have responded to allegations by denying them outright. Others shoot the messenger or even collude against the whistleblower. There have been institutional cover-ups and made-up counter allegations. Everything in their power is done to make the allegations go away.

These responses have been far removed from best practice, which dictates the need for clearly defined procedures which are understood by all staff and which prioritise the safety of children and vulnerable adults. The only way to prevent abuse is to have those responsible acknowledge the wrongdoing in order to facilitate an appropriate and uniform response to allegations, regardless in which part of the country the abuse occurred. All responses should be identical. Will the Tánaiste ensure that an audit is carried out in all HSE-run facilities to examine whether sufficient safeguarding practices are in place to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse and to examine how the HSE has responded to current and historical allegations of abuse?

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