Tusla review
Senator O'Donnell raised concerns about Tusla, asked about access to its databases and the timing and terms of reference of the HIQA report, and suggested the agency should be abolished if it is not fit for purpose.
The Minister, Deputy Zappone, appeared before the House last night and primarily dealt with the Maurice McCabe travesty, particularly that involving Tusla. This is a critical aspect. We will have a debate in the House when the Health Information and Quality Authority report into Tusla is completed. I would like to see the terms of reference of that report as they will be key. A number of questions need to be included in that. First, who has access to Tusla's database, apart from Tusla? Second, I put the question to Minister last night that if the freedom of information request had not been put in by the McCabes, would this information have come to light. The Minister said it would not.
Comment on this
She said it would not. That raises serious questions. There are many very good people working in Tusla and in An Garda Síochána. If Tusla is not fit for purpose, it should be abolished just as FÁS was abolished. I would like to see a timeline for when the HIQA report will be completed. I would like us to see the terms of reference and I would like them to be debated. If Tusla is not fit for purpose, the Minister needs to abolish it forthwith.