Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister who I know to be a caring and conscientious Minister, as I would expect. However, there are circumstances at the moment where the interests of children are not being protected. The Minister referred to the courts and the need for the influence of Tusla there. In some cases throughout the country, Tusla has been prevented from giving evidence or influencing anything that might happen and has been disallowed in the context of its right and obligation to protect the interests of children where children’s interests are anything but to the fore. More especially, Tusla is also prevented by virtue of an in camerarule from giving evidence or taking action to protect children. I have no doubt cases will come to public attention in future that will show this up to a greater extent.

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