Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for confirming that. As she can see, my concern, like hers, arises from the various reports I have been reading. The HIQA report confirmed that it was a matter of significant concern that Tusla, a learning organisation, had the same issues emerging over and over again. The Charleton report had much to say about Tusla but in particular it indicated the lack of upfront honesty and a failure in self-analysis and self-criticism led to a tribunal of inquiry. That is where we are with the failure of an organisation.

The good work of Tusla has been complimented in various reports as well but, unfortunately, the serious concerns and the danger to the protection of children outweigh that good work. I can give a flavour of what the Charleton report stated. It indicated that nobody within Tusla considered owning up to the serious mistakes that had been made. It sent a file where it should not have been sent, and when the file arrived in Dublin, certain documents were taken by some unidentified person in Cavan or Monaghan and so on. I could give many such examples but my time is limited. It is why I have the most serious concerns. I welcome that the Minister has set up the review panel and the reports will be published in an ongoing fashion.

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