Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Over the past two nights, RTÉ showed two riveting programmes about what happened to Sergeant Maurice McCabe, his wife, Lorraine, and their family. Did the Taoiseach get a chance to watch these programmes by Katie Hannon? They are required viewing for anybody interested in how Irish public administration and reform work. I expect them to be on management and university courses in the decades to come. The key question that emerges from the programmes is whether anyone will be held accountable. In recent days, the Taoiseach discussed the matter in regard to the former Garda Commissioner and his legal position. The questions that stand out from the programme, however, are what happened to Tusla and how the false allegation, which for any person would be a truly dreadful allegation, namely, of violating and raping a child, was transferred to a file.

This matter cuts to the core of public service reform. How does the Taoiseach propose to deal with the issue, which has been the subject of endless inquiries? A grave wrong was done to a particular individual and his family, which the programme shows clearly. What are the Taoiseach's priorities for public service reform? The need for it was shown by the tribunal and the facts of the case. This House agreed to the establishment of Sláíntecare, which would affect some of these areas, but has there been any progress on that?

There was also an agreement on an electoral commission, on which I recall the Taoiseach being keen, but has there been any progress? We are approaching another election but there is no control of political messaging and its sources on social media. We could be in the same boat as other countries which have suffered vast interference in their electoral processes.

See this speech in context