Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has said the scandal at Children’s Health Ireland is part of a wider and deeply troubling pattern of Government failure when it comes to children — in health, education, and housing.
Deputy McGuinness was speaking during the Dáil debate on Sinn Féin’s motion, which called for the immediate publication of audits linked to the CHI surgeries scandal and a full overhaul of governance structures at the agency.
“What has happened here is absolutely shocking — but it is not isolated,” he said. “We’re talking about children who were subjected to traumatic and unnecessary surgeries, and parents who were left completely in the dark. That should never have happened — and the silence that followed makes it even worse.”
Deputy McGuinness said the scandal must be seen in the context of wider failures across key services for children.
“This Government has shown time and again that it is failing children — in healthcare, in education, in housing. Assessment of need delays, rising child homelessness, the crisis in special school places, threadbare mental health services for young people — the list is growing, and nothing is being done at the pace or scale required.”
McGuinness praised the work of his party colleague and fellow Waterford representative David Cullinane TD, Sinn Féin’s Health Spokesperson.
“David has been relentless in his pursuit of answers for families affected by the CHI scandal. His call for a full, independent inquiry is absolutely the right one.”
Deputy McGuinness said the Government’s decision to vote down the Sinn Féin motion sends the wrong message to families who have already suffered so much.
“It was a clear and fair motion — calling for truth, transparency, and accountability. Instead of supporting that, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs voted it down.”
“Waterford’s two Government TDs must now explain their decision to vote against this motion. Families in Waterford and across the country deserve answers, not more excuses.”
He also warned of further risks ahead unless the culture of secrecy is confronted.
“The public has every right to ask what kind of oversight will be in place when the new National Children’s Hospital opens. Unless the Government changes course, we risk building a state-of-the-art facility on the same broken foundations.”
“Our children deserve better. That starts with honest answers, urgent reform, and a system that puts children and families first.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 