Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I also echo the points made by Deputy Boyd Barrett. I want to ask the Taoiseach about safeguarding and vulnerable adults. I raised this with him previously. I specifically want to ask him about the need for guidelines or legislation to be introduced to require the Garda when they have credible allegations of sexual assault and rape to inform relevant organisations, including where alleged perpetrators work or volunteer, in order to protect and safeguard vulnerable adults. It is not acceptable that when gardaí have knowledge of credible allegations that they fail to pass it on, which leaves vulnerable adults at risk. It is completely unacceptable that homeless people were put at continued risk earlier this year when the Garda failed to pass on information in a timely manner. This should never be allowed happen again.

I followed up on this with the Minister for Justice and it is clear to me that the current practices and procedures are not fit for purpose. The absence of clear guidelines or legislation is unfair to the individual gardaí who do not know what they should do, when they should do it and in what circumstances. Will guidelines or legislation be introduced to ensure that the Garda pass on information when they have credible allegations of sexual assault and rape to relevant organisations in a timely manner? Will the safeguarding legislation that was introduced by former Senator, Colette Kelleher, in the previous Oireachtas be progressed by the Government?

See this speech in context