Dáil debates

Thursday, 9 March 2017

Commission of Investigation (Certain Matters Relative to Disability Service in the South East and Related Matters) (Revised): Motion

 

1:55 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like Deputy Harty, I did not expect to have to debate this matter again this week. I indicated on Tuesday evening that I was not happy with the terms and conditions of the commission. I was equally unhappy that there was absolutely no consultation. I thank the Minister of State for going back on his heels by withdrawing the motion last night and offering us time with his officials yesterday. I thank the officials for the briefing we were given. Why was the shambolic first set of rules, regulations and guidelines for the establishment of the commission proposed? Why were attempts made to make aspects of the Grace case commission ultra vires, or outside the scope of the Oireachtas and the courts? There is protection going on within the HSE. I suggest the Minister of State must have been misled by his own officials because he would have known better if he was not misled. Why were groups in this Chamber given just an hour to submit amendments? There is something rotten in the HSE. There is something rotten with public officials, as Deputy Harty has suggested. Why does the truth about the horrific Grace case and many other cases have to be dragged from them kicking and screaming? Why was it proposed to delay the investigation into the other unfortunate people in the same foster home?

As the Minister of State knows, all of us hear every day of the week about cases that are going on. The HSE is out of control. There was a furore at the Committee of Public Accounts this morning because a statement made by the head of the HSE to the committee last year, to the effect that certain people are no longer employed by the executive, has transpired not to be the case. Up to three of these people are still in the HSE. Who is hiding them? There should not be any hiding place or refuge for them. They have to be outed because the cover-up is disgusting in the extreme. When whistleblowers come out now, it seems to be the order of the day to try to demonise, disgrace and discredit them. I have heard from whistleblowers. We have whistleblowers coming out our ears now because our bureaucratic systems are unaccountable and Ministers are not in charge and are not doing their business. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is a new Minister of State and I wish him well. Ministers can be fobbed off by being told that certain things are not wanted by the Garda or other authorities. It is not acceptable that information has to be dragged from such authorities kicking and screaming.

I understand the Committee of Public Accounts has demanded this morning that the HSE officials come back to the committee within a week by letter and within two weeks in person to explain this misleading information. More of them could be gone in the meantime with another big payout and with another private path charted for them within the loop so that they can set up private services. Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke about services being farmed out to retired people who previously used to run such services inside the system. It is completely bizarre and outlandish. Legislation must be introduced to prevent public officials and people like me from going into consultancy businesses. I see such people walking around here every day. The former Minister, Mr. Dempsey, hid for five or six years but now he is back in here every day as a hired gun. He wants to meet our groups about this, that and the other. That should not be allowed. In the interests of decency, there should be some clear water between public officials and retired politicians. The same thing is happening with An Bord Pleanála. It stinks to high heaven. It is outrageous. I hope the commission will come up with results without being delayed or challenged in the courts so that the families of Grace and the other unfortunate individuals who were almost mortally wounded in unbelievable circumstances can get justice.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.