Fine Gael today called for an external inquiry into how a convicted sex offender was allowed to lecture at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) for three years when gardaí and the local health board were aware of his conviction.
Minister of State for Children Brendan Smith told the Health Service Executive (HSE) to begin an urgent investigation into how Dr Niall McElwee was able to work as lecturer specialising in youth and childcare.
Dr McElwee resigned last week after the disclosure that he has a conviction for attempted indecent assault in the Netherlands.
Mr Smith yesterday asked the Health Service Executive to investigate after it emerged that both the Garda and the now-defunct Midland Health Board (MHB) were made aware of the incident in 2004 which led to the conviction.
Today he applauded the HSE's decision to appoint an outside expert, who has yet to be named, to conduct its investigation.
A spokeswoman for Mr Smith said: "This is the most judicious way to bring a speedy resolution to this matter of major public concern. The Minister has asked the HSE to begin the process of the investigation as a matter of urgency.
Fine Gael Health spokesman Brian Hayes said a HSE investigation was insufficient considering it has questions to answer.
"It is an inexplicable dereliction of duty for the health authority to have failed to act for three years when it was in possession of such sensitive and worrying information," Mr Hayes said.
The HSE must reveal what exactly what the health board knew and when it knew it, he added. It should also state any details of work Dr McElwee was commissioned to undertake by the HSE or MHB.
"Part of the HSE's remit is social protection yet this is a case where it may have knowingly allowed a threat to public safety to go unchecked. In light of that fact, I believe that the accountability offered by an external inquiry is appropriate."
It was also emerged yesterday that Dr McElwee was warned seven years ago about using explicit pictures of sexually abused children during lectures at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
He was recruited in 2001 by Athlone Institute of Technology as director of its Centre for Child and Youth Care Learning.
Three years after assuming that post, he was in Amsterdam carrying out research when he was involved in an incident in a hotel room with four American females aged between 15 and 18.
He propositioned one woman for sexual favours and got into bed with another when semi-naked. He was convicted in an Amsterdam court a year later on two counts of attempted indecent assault.
It was disclosed yesterday that a Garda sergeant was part of Dr McElwee's travelling party to Amsterdam. The group was in the Netherlands to carry out research into illicit drug use and treatment options. The trip was funded by the former health board under the auspices of the Regional Drugs Task Force.
The Garda sergeant became aware of the incident within hours and gave assistance to the Dutch authorities. He also informed Garda authorities. According to a Garda statement yesterday, the sergeant also met a representative of the MHB and informed him of the incident.
AIT last night said it was never made aware of the matter by the health board. A spokeswoman also said the matter regarding the explicit photographs had not been brought to its attention during Dr McElwee's recruitment in 2001.
The warning to Dr McElwee while he was lecturing at WIT was issued after students complained to the South Eastern Health Board about his use of explicit photographs. The HSE confirmed yesterday that the board had contacted Dr McElwee to ensure the material would not be used again.