Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

The events of last evening are extremely serious and very grave. As the Deputy quite rightly said, our thoughts are about the well-being and welfare of the child involved and with the entire family. It is the fundamental duty of the State to protect the children of the State. Irrespective of the complexity, acuity or severity of any particular case, that duty has to be fulfilled and on this occasion, that duty was not fulfilled. This case will be referred to the national review panel. Legislation will be introduced to put that review panel on a statutory basis but the more fundamental point is that a review will take place. The Minister for children has asked for an interim report - certainly within six weeks.

I have to be careful as there is a live criminal case and a person has been arrested in respect of the alleged sexual assault of this ten-year-old girl, so I do not want to say anything that in any way compromises the conduct or progressing of that case but the Minister for justice has asked his Secretary General and the Department for a full report in respect of the management of the application for asylum case since the person first arrived in the country. There are issues there that certainly need review more generally.

I acknowledge the concern, anger and worry of many people throughout the country at what has transpired or alleged to have transpired here. The concerns are legitimate. The concerns of people generally across the country and within the specific location are genuine and I acknowledge that. We will put the full rigours of the State behind this case in all facets and all respects.

I do not want to conflate this with other cases. I do not think that is fair. The other cases are equally very difficult and grave. This has nothing at all to do with the case last evening but the Deputy mentioned last week in north Dublin. The number of unaccompanied minors presenting is increasing at a very rapid level. Those young people were not in the care of Tusla. They were being provided with housing - essentially emergency accommodation.

That is an important context for that case, so we should not conflate all the cases. There are different backgrounds to each case.

The State has a fundamental right to protect the well-being of a ten-year-old child. I would like the review to look at all aspects of the care of the child in question and to bring forward recommendations, because we need to challenge existing restrictions or potential restraints on care agencies in terms of looking after young children. This is a particularly complex area. It will be fully reviewed. The national review panel is independent of Tusla, which is important. We need an interim report as quickly as possible.

Admhaím go bhfuil imní faoi leith ar dhaoine agus pobal na tíre faoin méid atá tar éis tarlú. Táimid chun gach aon chóras tacaíochta a thabhairt don leanbh atá i gceist agus do chlann an linbh agus, mar aon leis sin, tuarascáil a fháil ó na hAirí agus na Ranna speisialta.

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