Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree that the process needs time. I am happy that the Government is not going down the route of a HIQA report which was rushed into, although it was inappropriate. We do not have the facts before us. Many comments have been made on tribunals, what they cost and how they can go on. What is ignored is that tribunals come about because we do not have the facts before us in the Dáil, Members are not allowed to ask questions and when we do, we do not receive replies. I suggest the Taoiseach come back with a comprehensive report on the knowledge that he, his Minister and the Department has. We can then discuss that information in the Dáil, with a view to deciding on what is the appropriate form of inquiry.

The Taoiseach mentioned the Grace case as an a example of how long an inquiry could take. The delay was due completely to the previous Government. It was decided in February 2016 to have an inquiry, but it took until last year to set it up and a little longer again because the Government did not give the senior counsel an office from which to work.

The Taoiseach referred to Galway and HIQA. That is not what established the facts in Galway but an independent review with an independent chairperson from London who carried out a very effective inquiry. I say all of this in coming to the health board and the case of three children who were raped systematically. It was exposed on the "Prime Time" programme almost two weeks ago and has been raised by the leader of Sinn Féin and the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on health. It is concerning that we have the facts about these three women. The Taoiseach gave an answer in the Dáil and waffled on about something as serious as an independent inquiry. There will be an independent investigation. He then went on to say there was an investigation, that it had been established in April 2016 and that he hoped it would be completed by the end of this year. However, he did not have the terms of reference and knew nothing about it. The first girl made a disclosure in 2009, the second in 2011 and the third in 2013, yet the Taoiseach came into the Dáil and waffled about an independent review that would be set up or had been set up. In April 2016 the referral was made to the independent review panel. There was no explanation for how it had taken until April 2016 to be referred. There was no explanation of the terms of reference and no commitment to learn anything from the case, except empty reassurances such as the ones the Taoiseach has given to the people on cervical smear tests. He is not in a position to give reassurance, but he is in a position to give us the facts. Will he explain to the House why it took until April 2016 to refer the matter to the independent review panel? Who made the decision? Why had there been no inquiry at that point? The first girl came forward to disclose in 2009. We are now in 2018, but we have no answers for her. Before coming to the Chamber today, I took the trouble to re-read the Official Report and listen to the programme. The girl has asked what was the point of her coming out and saying what she said. Perhaps the Taoiseach might answer her today. All I want from the Government is for it to state it does not know, that it will make inquiries and that it will then come and tell us. The Dáil could then make a decision.

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