Martin queries effectiveness of public inquiries in light of Grace investigation

The Taoiseach has questioned the effectiveness of public inquiries, saying the state has spent half a billion euro over the last 27 years on various investigations.

Micheal Martin said the State needs to reflect on whether there is a better way of “cutting to the truth” in a more effective and quicker way.

He made the comments after the Government published a lengthy report into a disabled woman who experienced neglect and a fundamental failure in the duty of her care.

The Farrelly Commission was set up in 2017 to examine the case of a woman, given the pseudonym Grace, who has been in the care of the State all her life.

The commission, established in 2017 and led by Marjorie Farrelly, gathered 312,000 pages of documentation over eight years and its final report runs to more than 2,000 pages in six volumes.

It has taken eight years to complete and was beset by a number of delays.

The inquiry is expected to cost a total of 20 million euro.

The report has been criticised by opposition politicians and some Government backbenchers, with some saying that it has failed to provide the answers sought.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Mr Martin said: “We do need to fundamentally reflect on how we’re doing these inquiries, the effectiveness of them, and whether there’s a better way of cutting to the truth and getting to the truth in a much earlier and much more effective way.

“It would be remiss, I think, of the Dail generally and the Oireachtas not to reflect very seriously on the modality and methodology of commissions of investigation and inquiries.

“They are taking an ordinance of time, they cost millions, and there’s an argument to be had for strengthening our own institutions, bodies like HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority), Health and Safety Authority, bodies like Fiosru, which is the new GSOC (Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission).

“We should have institutions that can get these investigations done more quickly, more effectively, and get answers, because part of the purpose of this is to improve services and make sure these type of cases do not arise again into the future.”

He said there are currently up to six request for public inquiries to be held into different matters.

“I think we really have to fundamentally look, is this the way to go because, since 1998, the state has spent half a billion on inquiries,” he added.

“Some have been effective, some have had impact and led to change but the enormity of the cost when we still need resources for the children of today and to make sure we resource children in very disadvantaged backgrounds or with significant dysfunctional backgrounds.

“It is arguable that some of the resources would be better spent on looking after them and to facilitate them.

“We should be able to use the institutions that have been established to do that in the first place.”