Máire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I refer to two important issues that have been raised. The first is the Devine and Resilience Ireland reports which were published earlier. We have not had time to trawl through them in detail but the horrific nature of what happened and the issue of people turning a blind eye to horrific child sexual abuse or sexual abuse of vulnerable adults are evident along with the issue of the suitability of carers. A total of 47 young children and vulnerable adults were placed in the home in question. They were not monitored even though what was going on was known. We have had inquiry after inquiry. When do we stop and say we have done something well? Tusla is an underfunded HSE organisation. It took a young social worker to act as a whistleblower to ensure action was taken but the action was delayed for years, leaving our children at high risk. Do we ever learn?

I say, "Well done", to Vera Twomey, the most feisty, tenacious woman I know. I spoke to her before I came to the House. She has just left Mitchelstown and we should form a welcome party for her in Leinster House. Deputy McDonald and I met her and her family in Cork in January and she outlined the harrowing experience her young daughter is going through and how they are coping with it. They have found something that works but there has been a long wait for legislation to legalise it. The Leader said last week that he welcomed the legislation. Could he ensure it is put through speedily? Two neurologists are treating Ms Twomey's daughter, Ava, and they are willing to prescribe this if they are given training. The training would take six hours and then they could become experts and be able to prescribe for Ava and other children and adults like her. We need the legislation to be hurried through. I would like the Minister for Health to answer the following question: what is it that allowed him to grant a licence for one child in this State recently but prevents him for granting one for another child who has experienced a 90% improvement in her physical condition?