Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps a dignified silence for the three minutes might have been a better response. An independent review panel was set up to report on the systematic rape of three young children. Those adults came forward and said on a television programme and subsequently that they wanted an independent commission of inquiry. They said they wondered why they had come forward.

It is entirely unacceptable for the Taoiseach to stand up in the manner that he has and give inane quotes from reports. As Taoiseach he has a duty to ensure that the system is accountable. The Taoiseach cannot do a Pontius Pilate and wash his hands of it. It has been raised many times and the Taoiseach is fully familiar with the case and the independent review mechanism.

At this point, I have to ask serious questions as to the independence of the review panel. Why has the panel not communicated with the Taoiseach to tell him why there is a delay? Is there an absence of resources or staff? What is the problem? There is an absolute duty on the Taoiseach towards these three children to tell them that their suffering was not in vain.

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