Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Anybody who has looked at the details of this case and how it was handled by Tusla would be very concerned - absolutely very concerned. It is a relatively new organisation, which was set up to get more focus on child sexual abuse cases and on all the issues relating to children in care, in foster care, adoptions and so on. It is extremely disappointing that there was a delay of a year and a half in what it thought was a very serious child sexual abuse claim.

It turned out that, in fact, it was based on false information. It is equally upsetting to see that in the report of false information that was given back to them by the counsellor, the bits were not joined together and that Sergeant McCabe had to suffer the appalling situation where he had contact from Tusla on what was a totally false allegation. Therefore, of course, I would be concerned. I am pleased that the Minister, Deputy Zappone, is setting up an inquiry under HIQA.

As we well know, child sexual abuse has been hidden away for a long time. Let us make it clear, however, that at present, with Children First now in place, everybody in the country is under an obligation to report it if they suspect child sex abuse. The public must have confidence in how those allegations are handled.

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