Zappone may have been ‘overly cautious’ about Tusla file

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said she accepts she may have been "overly cautious'' in protecting details passed on to her about Tusla's role in the scandal over the treatment of a garda whistleblower.

She said she had told Taoiseach Enda Kenny prior to last week’s Cabinet meeting she had met the McCabes and that false allegations of sexual abuse had been made against Sgt Maurice McCabe to Tusla.

Mr Kenny, she said, had said this would be covered by the commission of investigation.

“I didn’t go into the detail of any of the allegations that I was aware of but I did indicate to him that that was the nature of the conversation.

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She told the Dáil she accepted some Cabinet colleagues would have preferred if she had made a contribution at Cabinet and she would learn from that.

“As part of this learning I would like to explore with my colleagues if there is a way we could have time to look at sensitive memos for government in advance of Cabinet meetings,’’ she added.

Ms Zappone said she has asked the health watchdog Hiqa to undertake an independent, statutory investigation on how Tusla managed the child abuse allegations.

She said the terms of reference for the statutory investigation were going to be drawn up in conjunction with the Hiqa chief executive Phelim Quinn to ensure a focused and timely investigation.

She added she would seek advice from the Attorney General as part of the process.

She said after meeting the McCabes she was conscious it was the State that had almost destroyed the family.

She said she was absolutely determined in every action she took to ensure as a government minister she did not inadvertently cause them any additional hurt.

They had told her what was in the file and it was shocking.

There were “false, vile and graphic allegations’’ made against Sgt McCabe, she said.

Ms Zappone said she had issued a second statement last Friday to bring clarity to the situation.

“I wanted it to be absolutely clear I had not passed on files and information of confidential, graphic, disturbing and highly sensitive information,’’ she added.

She said she believed the information she was becoming aware of through speaking to the McCabes and through Tusla was the protected disclosure which had been a matter of public comment.

“People can accuse me of being politically naive,’’ Ms Zappone added.

“I don’t agree, but people are entitled to their opinion.’’

She said she would prefer that charge, although disagreeing with it, rather than be the source which spread false allegations of the most horrific type even further.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said he had asked the HSE director general Tony O'Brien to endeavour to provide the McCabe family or their solicitor with as much information as possible and as existed in the agency's records.

Mr Harris said he had also asked the director general for a reassurance that the current policies, practices and procedures for the national counselling service were operating effectively.