Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for that. We accept that a lot of good work is done by Tusla, as mentioned in the Taoiseach's reply, but we cannot allow public bodies like this to go off and carry on all of these improprieties. Ten years on, we are investigating what was done to Maurice McCabe. It is no wonder they do it and get away with it if they are going to get a flag of honour from this House. It is unacceptable. Deputy Durkan has spoken in this House several times about the situation in which a mother reports sexual abuse to the Garda, Tusla gets involved, experts are appointed, the family court accuses the mother of parental alienation and recommends that custody be given to the perpetrator. This is shocking stuff. I have met these mothers and families from the midlands, County Tipperary and all over the country. We cannot just stand up and say everything is fine and Tusla does great work. It does but it has gone astray. It was a part of the HSE that was hived off with no proper functions or diktats. We need a public inquiry. The Taoiseach standing up defending Tusla's work and praising it is not acceptable. Lives have been destroyed; 52 children in its care are missing. We all have children and grandchildren and want the best for them. It is shocking to stand up, dismiss that and say Tusla does everything right, even though it is responsible and is not accountable to anybody.

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