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

We have had a discussion on this amendment previously in which I made a number of points. Clearly, this Bill is a major part of the reform of children's services we are undertaking. For the first time, there will be very strong provisions in legislation relating to the abuse of children and the best interests of the child. The fact that preventive family services will be included is spelled out clearly in the amendment I have tabled. With regard to amendment No. 20, the opposite of what the Deputy said is the case. In fact, a number of non-governmental organisations, NGOs, approached me about this issue. They considered that that phrase should be removed because they believed it narrowed where the views of children would be heard. However, we will discuss that amendment shortly.

Obviously, consultation will be part and parcel of any new agency and its approach. Any well functioning organisation will take decisions based on the evidence available to it. Much of that evidence will emerge from client feedback and the increasingly key ways in which we take young people's views into account. We will be informed by audits undertaken internally and externally. To suggest that, by law, an organisation will be required to consult on all aspects of planning and reviewing the provision of services could have the unintended effect of paralysing management decision-making, diffusing responsibility for decisions and delaying a great deal of change where responsiveness is critical. Of course, consultation is important, but it must be bedded in performance management at both organisational and individual senior management level. I do not believe the amendments, by including the provision in this statutory way, would have the desired effect. Therefore, I am not accepting them.