Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch as an deis labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an athrú a rinne an tAire Stáit, Teachta McGrath, i ndiaidh na díospóireachta sa Teach agus an ráiteas a rinne sé inniu. I welcome the decision by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to take on board a number of concerns of Teachtaí about the terms of reference of the commission of investigation into the Grace case and foster services for citizens with disabilities in the south east. I know the Minister of State to be very well-intended, but it is a matter of concern that the welcome change to the terms of reference only came after some rí rá and ruaille buaille because we here have argued for years for terms of reference which, thankfully, are now reflected in the Minister of State's revised version.

For 20 years, Grace endured abuse and neglect, and despite concerns being reported by whistleblowers, the HSE did not investigate allegations of abuse. This was not just a systems failure; it has all the elements of a criminal conspiracy. There is an urgent need to know who is responsible and find out who knew what was happening. There is an urgent need to investigate allegations of a cover-up and claims that files were deliberately destroyed. The most glaring question is why no one was disciplined, sacked or charged with a criminal offence.

Our main focus must be to protect these citizens. This is our main concern. I hope the commission of investigation will be able to get to the bottom of all these questions. For our part, the question for the Dáil is why we let Grace down - because we did - and why the Government did not act when these dreadful matters were raised here. I commend the whistleblowers and others who have advocated on behalf of Grace and the other citizens at the centre of these injustices.

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