Abuse commission of inquiry right course of action, says Enda Kenny

A commission of inquiry is the right way to address the enormity and the depravity of what has been uncovered in relation to what happened to ‘Grace’, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Grace, he said, because of her condition, was silent. However, by her treatment and her abandonment, she was silenced, he added.

Mr Kenny was speaking in the Dáil, when he confirmed the Cabinet had agreed a commission of investigation into the abuse controversy in the south-east.

“Those who left her to her fate, pressed the mute button on her life and appalling experience,” Mr Kenny said.

The Taoiseach said its setting up would be subject to the terms of reference being agreed by the Oireachtas elected in the general election.

Speaking at Leaders’ Questions, Mr Kenny said a commisison could run in parallel with a Garda investigation.

However, it could mean that when the inquiry was completed, it could not be published pending elements of what might emerge from the Garda inquiry, he added.

Mr Kenny said the abuse represented “another serious legacy issue”, particularly in the case of the person known as Grace’.

“Clearly, the safety and protection of vulnerable people has to be of paramount importance to the State,” he said.

Replying to questions from Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin who said a whistleblower had given an account on Claire Byrne’s RTÉ television show on Monday night on how an intellectually disabled child, known as Grace, was left in a foster home where she was consistently abused.

The move to create a commission of inquiry following revelations in the Irish Examiner two weeks ago.

“The abuse has been described is quite shocking,’’ Mr Martin added.

In all, said Mr Martin, an estimated 47 children or adults were involved in the scandal.

Meanwhile, Socialist TD Joe Higgins has delivered his final Dáil contribution of his political career, during which he told Enda Kenny to take an “AK-47 for protection” on his way to Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday.

Mr Higgins was referring to Environment Minister Alan Kelly of Labour, who is nicknamed ‘AK-47’.

Quizzing the Taoiseach on when he will dissolve the Dáil, Mr Higgins referred to Mr Kelly’s Sunday Independent interview during which he described power as a “drug”.

“Taoiseach, on your way to the Park, Taoiseach, in case you meet an anti-water charges protest, can I suggest you take your AK-47 for protection,” Mr Higgins said.