Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. In the lead-up to today's meeting, I had contact with several organisations and practitioners who would also like to have a voice on this important issue. The witnesses, however, have given us a good cross-section and representative sample of some of the key components that need to be part of the new agency. I have made my views on the agency known in The Irish Times today. I want therefore to press on into some more direct questions. I tuned into the symposium yesterday and I listened a lot. It made me think of an exercise we do with the girl guides, getting one to draw a picture while another describes it. There is a lot of talk about the agency's principles and values but I am still not quite clear on its composition and who will be in it. Everybody is agreed on the principles' values and we have great support for the agency.

Does Professor Dolan know what is the status of the task force report that was published last July? Will all the recommendations be taken up? Can we take it that the report is the framework for the new agency or is it an input into the new agency? Professor Dolan also mentioned some concerns. He spoke about how the transfer of professionals will happen. Can he advise us on other concerns that he or others might have? We need to know if there are issues we need to look for so that we can give political support where required.

Mr. Fergus Finlay used the term "under new management", which evokes all those senses. I was pleased to hear from Ms Mary Flaherty about her involvement in the evolution of the new agency. I would like to probe that a bit more. How much has she been involved in the shaping of the new agency, thus bringing her expertise to the table in designing it?

When I was tuning into the symposium yesterday, a public health nurse asked a question from the floor. I do not remember whether it was Mr. Gordon Jeyes or the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who responded. However, the response referred to phase one and phase two. It is hoped that within phase two, public health nurses will be part of the design. That is the first time I have heard the terms "phase one" and "phase two". Can Ms Flaherty enlighten me or should I follow up that question with Mr. Jeyes?

Mr. Campbell referred to prevention and early intervention, and in this context we all too often think of toddlers and babies, but it goes right throughout a young person's life. That is an important message for all of us to take on.

I may have got it wrong but did Ms Flaherty say that 20% of the new agency's services will be provided by NGOs? Can she clarify that for me?