Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Although I see the Deputy's point I believe what he is seeking is well provided for. The word "promote" means to help the progress of something or to support and encourage it. At a very minimum I see that as facilitating, therefore the word "promote" incorporates facilitating and including the extra wording does not add to the policy objective.

This is a very serious obligation and we stated we would deal with it in the context of the legislation. Section 8(8) promotes enhanced inter-agency co-operation in order to ensure services for children will be co-ordinated. In addition, it will facilitate integrated responses to the needs of children and their families. This means that there will be a strong obligation on the agency and that said obligation will include the facilitation of inter-agency work in order to ensure the services are responding in a way in which, as Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin noted, they did not in the past. It is clear from all of the reports that inter-agency co-operation is an absolutely critical element in delivering effective services. I put it to Deputy Robert Troy that the term "promote" encapsulates facilitation of inter-agency co-operation and that, as a result, the additional word is not necessary.