Pringle continues to press Government for publication of full Brandon Report
- Updated: 15th December 2021
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has again pressed Government to commit to publication of the full Brandon Report into sexual abuse at Ard Gréine Court in Ballybofey.
Addressing the Dáil today during Questions on Promised Legislation, Deputy Pringle said: “It has been reported today that the HSE are going to publish an executive summary of the report in the coming days. Will you share the calls by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste for the immediate publication of the full Brandon report as that we can be sure that lessons will be learned from this sad case.”
He also asked whether the Government will publish the full report if the HSE doesn’t, “because the HSE has shown that they have no interest”.
Deputy Pringle added: “Or will we have to read the full report into the Dáil record here to ensure that it is published at all?” Deputy Pringle read from the report into the Dáil record last week, over 20 minutes and two speaking opportunities on a health bill.
In response, Minister Michael McGrath acknowledged Deputy Pringle’s work in relation to the issue and his role in bringing the matter forward, saying, “The issue that is set out within this report is deeply disturbing.”
Minister McGrath said he will ask the minister to come back to Deputy Pringle in relation to the intention to publish the report and said, “But I certainly believe in openness and if there is no compelling reason not to publish it, then I believe it should be published.”
Deputy Pringle first raised the Brandon Report in the Dáil in July, after working with a whistleblower who had come to him in 2016. Deputy Pringle said he raised the issue in the Dáil due to the lack of an adequate response during those years.
