Ms Marie O'Shea:

I would like to see the approach taken that it was genuinely a good thing to put section 7 into the Act to review its operation. When one looks at the Act at first sight, particularly if one is not trying to access or deliver service, the Act looks quite straightforward. However, when one delves into it, it is anything but straightforward to deliver, particularly sections 9, 10 and 11, and there are operational issues. I do not think that the public, knowing that, would want inaction on the Act. When you have that knowledge, you have to utilise it. The issues that came up when assessing the operation of the Act identified barriers and it is the responsibility of the Houses of the Oireachtas to address those barriers. I made evidence-based recommendations to help and assist the committee. I will continue, as will my colleagues here, to help and assist this committee and any other committee that wishes to have clarification or share knowledge. I would like to see some changes to the operation of the Act arising from legislative change and I hope what is helpful guidance to the HSE and the educational bodies as well.