Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I call on the Leader for a debate on the appalling report on the number of children who have lost their lives in the care of the HSE. Other Senators have referred to the matter and it is appropriate for the Minister to be in the House to address it. Some 90% of the abuse cases come under the remit of the health services. It is important that they are fit for purpose and it is appropriate to have the Minister here to address the matter.

I am keen to hear the comments of the Taoiseach about pin-pointing responsibility when he addresses the Dáil on the matter given that 196 children died between 2000 and 2010. It is essential that people working within our public services are held accountable for shortcomings. I heard again this morning that all the blame is being put on systems, but systems are operated by personnel. In the private sector if one fails to function responsibly and as one should, then one carries the responsibility for doing that. It should be the same in this case. I look forward to the Taoiseach's comments in this regard.

I imagine the Leader will join me in expressing our sympathy to the family of Ned Roice. He came before the committees in the House established to inquire into Mr. Justice Barron's report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other atrocities committed in the State. I recall him coming - the Leader may recall it too - before us to give evidence and to ask us to try to find out the truth about his 19 year old daughter, who had just started working in the public service and who was killed in the Talbot Street bomb, before he and his wife closed their eyes. Unfortunately, he was buried with his daughter in Wexford last Monday in Castlebridge. I imagine the Leader will be keen to enjoin me in expressing our sympathy to the family and our regret for the fact that, despite all the hard work that was undertaken by many Members, we have failed to secure any progress from the British authorities with regard to the collusive elements involved in those murders.