Alan Shatter TD, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Children has again criticised the Government’s obsessive secrecy on child protection issues.

“I tabled a Dail Question to the Minister for Justice requesting a copy of any existing protocol between An Garda Siochana and the HSE concerning Children Missing from Care.  The Minister did not accede to my request, stating in his response on 27^th April 2010 that “The joint protocol document is an operational document between An Garda Siochana and the HSE, and consequently the issue of my furnishing a copy to the Deputy does not arise”.  This response typifies the veil of secrecy that surrounds issues of child protection in this State under the current Government.

 “I have now obtained a copy of the protocol and it is available to view on Fine Gael’s “Let in the Light” campaign website www.letinthelight.ie “ or click here.

 Ends

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Ahern) by Deputy Alan Shatter for written reply on Tuesday, 27th April, 2010. 

 *  To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the protocol, if any, in existence regarding communications between An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive in relation to children in the care of the HSE who go missing; if copies of any such protocols will be furnished to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.     - Alan Shatter 

REPLY.
A joint protocol between An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive on missing children was signed by the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Executive of the HSE on 22 April 2009.  The joint protocol sets out the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in relation to children missing from care. 

I am informed by the Garda authorities that an important feature of the protocol is the establishment of a Garda liaison role with the HSE care placements at a local level.  The local liaison role includes a mechanism to identify children in care who are reported missing frequently and to escalate the responsibility for them to an appropriate level of authority in both organisations.

The joint protocol document is an operational document between An Garda Síochána and the HSE, and consequently the issue of my furnishing a copy to the Deputy does not arise.