Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let us be honest. Serious questions about Tusla have to be answered. We all welcomed and acknowledged the importance of Tusla when it was set up. We know the important job it does, but now there are serious matters that have to be referred to and dealt with.

Do I think the Taoiseach is dishonest? No, I do not. Do I think the Tánaiste is dishonest? No, I do not. By the way, I must say both of them look very shaken by this crisis, but it is absolute and total incompetence that has caused it and, as a Deputy stated earlier, it is of their own making. This side of the House has been totally responsible in its agreement with and facilitation of the Government. As stated, we sat here for ten weeks when no one was prepared to come on side to ensure the State would not face another general election. We did the right thing and, as I stated, facilitated the Government. This evening Deputy Róisín Shortall has been critical of us and our role, but she did not make much of an effort at the time to offer support and Deputy Stephen Donnelly obviously does not agree with her seeing as he has joined us.

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