Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I express concern and dismay at comments made by the Northern Irish Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, about killings by British soldiers and police officers during the Troubles. Her statements were provocative, especially in the wake of a decision on whether there will be criminal proceedings arising out of the Bloody Sunday incident and other incidents and shootings in Northern Ireland. Ms Bradley should keep in mind the victims and their families who will be very upset by her unhelpful remarks in this fragile time for the peace process, with Brexit looming. She should withdraw her comments and apologise, especially to the families of the victims.

I want to speak about the Tusla report on fostering services, especially those in Dublin South Central. This issue was raised by me and other colleagues in the Seanad two years ago when the previous report was published. There were also difficulties at that stage in Dublin South Central. The current review is scathing and states that child safeguarding in Dublin South Central have regressed over the past two years. The area includes many very disadvantaged and extremely disadvantaged households. The report also states that nine foster care households in which persons over 16 years of age were residing had not been Garda vetted. It seems like a post code lottery. A foster child living in Dublin 10, 12 or 20 and Dublin South Central in general will not get the proper care he or she deserves. Children in foster care are in the care of the State and essentially children of the State. It is a sad and damning indictment of the Government that it places vulnerable children at risk, depending on which area of the country they live in. The Minister should make a statement in the House on this issue and comment on the fact that nothing has been done since it was highlighted previously.

There have been recent shootings in west Dublin. This morning, a friend of mine who was dropping her child to a crèche in Blanchardstown found a burnt-out car outside when they arrived. This problem seems to be commonplace. The Garda does not seem to have a handle on the shootings that are taking place every second day in the city. It is time the Garda was given more resources to put more effort into intelligence work. It is not fair on people going about their daily business that shootings are becoming commonplace.My friend dropped her child off at a crèche. A few hours earlier a car used in a shooting was burned out. It is not right. The people of this city deserve a safer city. They also deserve to know that shootings such as this will not happen on their doorsteps.