Tóibín Criticises O’Gorman’s Leadership Calling for Resignation Amid Child Exploitation Scandal
13.07.2024
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has demanded the resignation of Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman, citing a troubling series of revelations. The Meath West TD highlighted the severe issue of child trafficking and sexual exploitation within the state’s care system, describing it as a national scandal that would lead to significant political fallout in other countries.
"Children in state care are currently being trafficked and sexually exploited in Ireland on a significant scale. In any other nation, this would be a major national scandal," Tóibín stated.
He expressed that the Minister should self-reflect and consider stepping down. "If a similar scandal occurred in any other Western country, with the Child and Family Agency acknowledging a major issue of sexual exploitation among children in care, the responsible Minister would face immense pressure to resign. Roderic O’Gorman is clearly out of his depth and needs to go," Tóibín asserted.
Tóibín revealed that nearly 200 children, either under state care or known to child protection services, have died over the past decade, according to figures obtained by Aontú through parliamentary questions.
"In other countries, state resources would be mobilised to investigate the crisis thoroughly and resolve it, with accountability extending to the highest levels, including resignations. The core issue lies in the chronic underfunding of services, despite a surge in the number of children referred to TUSLA," Tóibín added.
Since 2018, 82,000 children have been referred to Tusla, a figure Tóibín highlighted to emphasise the gravity of the situation.
"Child trafficking is not a new issue; it has been occurring for years across nearly every town and city in Ireland. Children in state care, particularly those in residential care, are extremely vulnerable. Child sexual exploitation currently represents the largest form of human trafficking in Ireland. Those who have extensively researched this topic understood that exposing the state’s failures in protecting children would require a whistleblower, likely a retired judge. This week, that expectation was met," Tóibín noted.
He also pointed out that Aontú has uncovered disturbing facts in recent months, including the disappearance of 69 unaccompanied minors from Tusla’s care since 2017.
Tóibín claimed that several unaccompanied children known to Tusla were left homeless on Dublin’s streets "for weeks" after arriving in Ireland without their parents or guardians.
Tóibín expressed concern over the handling of emails sent to blueblindfold@garda.ie, a reporting address for suspected human trafficking, which are not kept for more than 30 days. He also criticised the lack of data on children in state care, such as the number of pregnancies or STI tests conducted each year.
"The Taoiseach and government are attempting to blame Tusla’s problems on resource shortages and the refugee crisis. This is misleading. The issues are deeply rooted and have persisted for years. Minister O’Gorman, when questioned in the Dáil, could not provide clear data on the number of children who go missing from state care annually, not just unaccompanied minors but all children," Tóibín concluded.
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