The chair of the investigation into the Roscommon abuse case has defended the decision to include two Health Service Executive (HSE) representatives on the inquiry team.
A member of the extended family of the woman at the centre of the Roscommon incest case has spoken out against any HSE involvement in the inquiry which was set up at the weekend to look at how her six children were served by childcare services.
However, speaking tonight, the chair of the investigation Norah Gibbons said she wanted to assure those with concerns that the inquiry team would do its utmost to conduct a thorough, open and expeditious investigation into the circumstances surrounding the neglect and abuse of the children involved.
A 40-year old woman was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to incest, sexual assault and neglect of her children.
Roscommon Circuit Court on Wednesday last heard details about the plight of the six children who, despite coming to the notice of social workers in 1996, were not into taken into care until 2004.
The inquiry announced by the HSE is to be carried out by four people, two of whom are independent of the HSE and two of whom are HSE representatives.
"The composition of the investigation team provides expertise in child welfare and protection issues and provides the knowledge and experience to navigate a complex system. Should supplementary skills be required additional members can be co-opted to the inquiry team," said Ms Gibbons tonight.
"The team has undertaken this task with the seriousness and independence it deserves. We are committed to ensuring that any failure in the system is brought to light and learned from so that vulnerable children are better protected in future. The work of the investigating team is now underway and no further comment will be made until the investigation is complete so as not to distract from the proceedings themselves," she added.
The investigation is expected to be completed within six months and the final report will be published by the HSE
In a Daíl debate on the child abuse case today Fine Gael spokesman on children Alan Shatter, criticised Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews and said it was the height of hypocrisy" for him to call on Bishop John Magee of Cloynes to resign for his failings, given Mr Andrews "incompetence".
During the debate Sinn Fein health spokesman Caoimhghin O Caolain described the Roscommon case as "a tragic example of a failed system, which is based on dealing with the aftermath of abuse rather than its prevention".
