Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
488. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the progress of the establishment of a commission of investigation into the Grace foster home scandal; and if he will provide assurance that a previous undertaking that Dáil Éireann would be given an opportunity to debate the terms of reference of the commission will be honoured. [22240/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to assure the House that I am fully committed to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into this matter. I remain very concerned about the issues which have been raised in this case and cannot stress highly enough that the safety and protection of all vulnerable people in the care of the State is paramount. The previous Government's approval to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation, was given in principle, subject to a further decision to be made by the Government on detailed terms of reference, timelines and costs which will be informed by the Report on the South East Foster Care Review undertaken by Mr. Conor Dignam Senior Counsel, which I received in late August.
When submitting his Report to me, Mr Dignam drew attention to some legal procedural and administrative matters which he advised should be addressed before the Report is published. The Department immediately initiated the procedural steps necessary to address the matters set out by Mr. Dignam. As soon as these legal procedural and administrative matters have been addressed I will bring the Report to Government with a view to its early publication.
While the legal matters are being addressed, I and my officials have studied Mr. Dignam’s Report carefully and my officials are now engaged in drafting Terms of Reference for the Commission, pending publication of the Report. Submission of the Report to Government is a priority for me in the Autumn term.
In accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 the establishment of the Commission will then require the approval of the Oireachtas, at which point the Oireachtas will be given the opportunity to debate the Commission's Terms of Reference.
