Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am raising an issue that I have raised on numerous occasions with the Taoiseach over the past couple of years. It must be raised as often as possible so it will, at some stage, be dealt with comprehensively. The Health Service Executive, HSE, has to realise that this will not go away. It was bad when we heard about the activities of the so-called Brandon, who was failed himself by the HSE. The families were let down by the HSE at all stages and not told the truth about their loved ones. Even to this day, some of them have not heard the full story from the HSE.

A couple of weeks ago in the national papers we read about another report that is being carried out by the HSE that has identified an additional ten abusers in Ard Gréine Court and the Seán Ó Hehir unit in Ballybofey, County Donegal. This is the same place where Brandon lived and worked. One of the most shocking things about this report is that it was prepared by a trawl of files within the centre, so all the information was on file in the centre which means management knew about it all along. It is worth saying that again. The HSE management knew all about these cases at all times.

Families read about the new cases in the newspapers. Some of them have been contacted by the HSE to tell them their loved one was abused by someone else other than Brandon and some, thankfully, have been told their loved one was not abused, but very few. We must question why this happened and how, at this stage, the families are finding out like this. All the families with loved ones in Ard Gréine, whether abused or not, should be offered independent advocacy even at this late stage.

We cannot rely on the HSE at this stage to do the right thing. As if we needed confirmation, this shows it has let down residents, families and their own staff in the most horrible way.

I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is drawing up a report on the Brandon case that will be published so that we can be aware of and speak freely about what has happened. When will the Minister of State's report be forthcoming?

I really think the only solution to this situation is a Muckamore Abbey-type inquiry like we have seen in the North. Will the Government report and make sure a full public inquiry will take place so we can be sure the families, residents and staff receive full information as to what went on in Ard Gréine Court and indeed all disability services within Donegal and under the HSE nationally? The HSE nationally has tried to block the discussion on this case as much as it can, but at least it cannot yet control the Dáil. We need to have this happen as quickly as possible.

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