Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Seanad Éireann:

bearing in mind the specific matters considered by Government to be of significant public concern arising from the case of Grace (pseudonym), who resided in a former foster home in the South East which is the subject of abuse allegations, as detailed in the following reports:(a) Report of Conal Devine & Associates – Inquiry into Protected Disclosures, SU1 (2012);

(b) Report of Resilience Ireland Ltd. – Disability Foster Care Report HSE South East (2015); and

(c) Report of Conor Dignam SC – Review of Certain Matters relating to a Disability Service in the South East (2016);noting that the matter raises serious issues about the role of public authorities involved in the care and protection of Grace, and other persons who between 1989 and 2015 were in foster care or otherwise placed in the former foster home;

noting that it is the opinion of the Government that a Commission of Investigation represents the best method of addressing the concerns raised;

further noting that a draft Order which the Government proposes to make under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 (No. 23 of 2004) has been laid before Seanad Éireann on 8th March, 2017, in respect of the matters referred to, together with a statement of reasons for establishing a Commission under that Act;

approves the draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters relative to a disability service in the South East and related matters) Order 2017, and the statement of reasons for establishing a Commission of Investigation.