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

I understand that the Business Committee is due to meet at 4 o'clock. The entire nation has been convulsed by an issue of major public concern. During Leaders' Questions I asked the Taoiseach if he would confirm that Ministers would come before the House to answer questions about their stewardship on this issue and be accountable to the House on the specifics of this issue. I think that should happen. The most important thing the Oireachtas can do to respond to this issue is to try to get to the truth. I understand that people will agree to a tribunal inquiry. Motions of confidence would not get that this week, but we can agree to a tribunal of inquiry. However, that does not mean that Ministers cannot come before the House to answer questions. To be fair, the McCabes issued a statement last evening with six straight questions in it. Answers to those questions do not require a tribunal of inquiry. It is no basis for people to run to the hills and seek protection and cover over very basic things that can be explained and on which Ministers can answer questions.

There was a time in this House when Private Notice Questions were de rigueurand the norm in situations like this, involving matters of great public concern. In recent years, including the last Dáil, that was not so much the case. I put it to the Taoiseach that, given the enormity of this issue, Ministers should come before the House. The Dáil is relevant in responding to it and acts in the public interest in endeavouring to get answers to the one major issue that has convulsed the nation over the last week or so. Our overriding consideration should be to get answers not just for the McCabe family but also for the administration of justice and the administration of Tusla.

Apart from all the other issues, how Tusla dealt with this is shocking when one reads the file. It beggars belief that any State agency could allow something like this to happen. There is a lack of checks and balances. With all of what the Taoiseach said about reforms and modernisation, this is as basic as it gets. It is quite shocking how poor it is.

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