REPORTS INTO REMOVAL OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS ARE WELCOME AND WARRANTED - KENNY

Posted on October 24, 2013 11:46 AM   |   Permanent Link   

Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Sean Kenny, has welcomed the news that the HSE and the Garda Commissioner have been instructed to provide a report on the cases in Dublin and Athlone, which saw children taken away from their parents.

"I am very disturbed by what I have heard in relation to both these cases and I am glad that reports have been asked for, and will be provided to the Minister for Justice and Minister for Children. I understand that the HSE report will also be sent on the Children Ombudsman."

"Making allegations or raising suspicions on the basis of appearance is utterly wrong. These cases raise questions of racism and of racial profiling, especially as both cases concerned one particular ethnic group. Allegations such as these cause harm to individuals and families and damage to society."

"All individuals working in a public capacity whether they are politicians, or public servants, must be alert to the dangers of racist policies, not just overtly racist policies, but also institutionally racist policies. I look forward to reading what the reports that have been asked for have to say."