Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue that has been the subject of discussion in the Lower House, namely the Grace report. Two days have been afforded in the Lower House to discuss that report. It falls upon us in the Seanad to also discuss the Grace report and the wider context of safeguarding for our vulnerable adults. We owe it to those who have no voice. We owe it to Grace to recognise that a 2,000-page document was produced that found for nothing. We are not judges in this room, but we should have the opportunity to discuss it from all quarters so the voices of those who cannot speak are actually heard.

The Grace report, which was 2,000 pages, took a long, limited time. Its last chapter, which took three years to produce, was supposed to be on the care piece. The care piece did not produce what it was supposed to. It is upon us to make time to discuss it again. It is precious time that needs to be allotted to allow us to discuss our most vulnerable. As I said, in the context of safeguarding, we do not have to mention the name or the report, but a conversation about safeguarding needs to happen.