Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In her opening remarks, the Minister addressed the sad passing of Martin McGuinness. With the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle, I will say a few words on that. I hope the people from Tuam and others will not mind. I did not get an opportunity today. We cannot discuss, as the Minister said, the finding of the truth without acknowledging the role of Martin McGuinness in the recent history of our country. We certainly cannot. Regardless of our political loyalties, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Martin McGuinness for his part in delivering the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement. A generation of young Irish have come of age never having known the awful and terrible violence of the Northern conflict, thanks in large part to the political and personal courage he displayed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

In my remarks on this matter previously, I made the point that we all have been deeply disturbed by the events in Tuam. Our hearts have been touched by the thought that so many children could have ended their lives in an environment that may have neglected or abandoned them when they were most in need of help. There is no defending or excusing what is absolutely indefensible. It is a source of shame that so many of our nation's children died in that way and continue to die through various forms of abuse. The State is complicit in the deaths and maltreatment of these children and their families. This is not yesterday's problem. It is not a problem we have left behind. We continue to practice with horrifying regularity the betrayal of children and their families. It was only five years ago that a report reviewed the deaths of almost 200 children who died either in the care of the State or who were known to the State's care services from 2002 to 2012. Tuam horrifies us. It causes us all dismay and bewilderment how such practices could be carried out.

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Where was the accountability? There was none. Where is it now, for that matter? Has anyone in the HSE or Tusla been held responsible for the neglect that led to 112 unnatural deaths of children between 2002 and 2012?

I see merit in a truth commission being established, but it must be a search for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It cannot descend into blanket condemnations. It must not create more divisions than it seeks to heal. Its work must be done responsibly and with appropriate caution. It must not become a State monopoly on the truth. All of the voices of Tuam must be heard and the question of responsibility addressed.

I have accepted the Minister's bona fides on several issues since her appointment. I welcome her openness, frankness and freshness that she brings to her position and her forthright responses on many issues. Dealing with this and many other issues will be difficult, but I have asked the Minister previously to address ongoing situations. One response to a recent parliamentary question that I asked brought up a fact about the years 2013, 2014 and 2015, which was before the Minister was in power, although she was a Senator of some renown at that point. More than 18,000 cases of child abuse were reported in each of those years to the various bodies over which she now has control. We all must reflect on that. Despite all of the education, so-called learning, experience, legislation, Children First policies and so on, this was happening under our noses. It was close to me, close to us all, and happening daily. I am sure that the 2016 figures, which were not available when I asked my question, will not be much better.

Soul searching as well as a truth commission on Tuam is needed. There must be accountability on the part of the agencies that are charged with looking after our children in the face of such a shocking state of affairs.

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