Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question is directed to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It is clear that there was error upon error and failure upon error with regard to the child protection and Tusla handling of the file relating to Sergeant McCabe. As regards the involvement of the HSE counsellor, the reason the counsellor was in contact with the Garda and who contacted who, it is all contrary to children first processes. How could a file of such seriousness be treated as casually as to allow copying and pasting? Most of all, how could a file exist on alleged child abuse and not be picked up for several years? If this file was not a false accusation, why was there no review, no oversight and no investigation? How could it happen that it was not followed up and was allowed to sit there?

It is clear that normal procedures were not followed. That raises questions about the handling of child protection by Tusla on a systematic basis. There have been examples of this before. A June 2016 report found 822 unacknowledged Garda notifications of alleged abuse from Tusla in the midlands region. Mr. Fred McBride has refuted that he would knowingly allow collusion with the gardaí. However, it happened before his watch. How can the Minister account for the facts that normal procedure was so comprehensively ignored in this instance and that the children first policy was not followed? Can Tusla disprove the charge of collusion by some of its staff and does it intend to do so?

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