Dr. Anthony McCarthy:

I am happy to do so. Obviously, when any group is being established, nominations are sought from various bodies. I have been previously asked to nominate persons to other committees. As regards whether I have a problem with the nomination of a particular child psychiatrist to the expert group, the answer is "Absolutely not". I was asked the specific question of whether the college was consulted to which I responded that it had been and nominated Dr. Fenton and myself. The Minister selected the child psychiatrist, which is perfectly okay. I have no problem whatsoever with that and do not believe anybody in the college would have a problem with it either.

Of the 864 members of the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland, 113 responded to the survey in a particular way. It is a pretty small group of people. I am surprised it was not larger, reflecting the division in society in general and the uncertainty in political parties, among families and so on. We understand that there are people who disagree. We accept that.