Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

For any parent or anyone caring for a child, one of the worst imaginable nightmares is that the child would go missing or be assaulted, particularly in this way. As the Taoiseach said, it is not surprising at all that this case has caused profound anger and unease. I appreciate that he recognises that there has been a failure of the system in this case. That is a necessary acknowledgement. However, a disturbing pattern has emerged. This requires more than a simple referral to a panel. There has to be more action, because the most unnerving thing is that this happens to children in the care of, in accommodation provided by or who are known to Tusla and the State and again and again we hear these unimaginable tales.

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