Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is wrong that the issue of the protection of children is being used as some sort of vehicle for getting at Sinn Féin. I am no spokesperson for Sinn Féin but I do not want to this being used in the way that I feel it is being used. I do not agree with that. It does not sit well with me. Child protection in Ireland has been a critical issue especially in the light of recent scandals which have highlighted the major failures and the urgent need for reform. The protection of children is a fundamental responsibility of any society and Ireland's recent history underscores the importance of vigilance, accountability and comprehensive support systems.

Many years ago, along with the late Jackie Healy-Rae, I was attending a clinic in a certain location. On that night what I would call a child protection issue came before us. This was back a good bit ago. There was no way in the world that we could leave that place that night until we actually informed the Garda of that situation. We could not go home. It was a winter's night. We had to stay late into the night and make sure that we had reported what had come to us so that we could then go home and we could say to ourselves that the proper agency of the State knew of this case. The Garda knew the situation and its duty was to protect the vulnerable child in question on that night. That is the way to do your business. That is the way to be proper about it. There are agencies there to deal with this. We then rely on the agencies.

I have 30 seconds to speak about Tusla's behaviour. There are very good people - I know them in Kerry - who work in that organisation, but my God there are failings in that organisation. I have seen them doing what borders on crazy things when it comes to the protection of children. I have really seen this. My judgment of them would be that I would question them all over and over again as to what they are thinking of. They need direction in what they are doing.

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