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

I make it very clear that the views of children can be heard in a variety of ways. The Deputy has asked where, but what is intended is that the agency will provide services for children, through which services the views of young people and children can be heard and taken into account. For example, their views can be canvassed in the drawing up of individual care plans. Complaints can be made, too. Children in care, for example, have hugely improved opportunities to be consulted and have their views heard. The only reason I am taking this out is I want to broaden the opportunities for consideration to be given to the views of children when the agency is up and running. The Deputy must acknowledge that this is the first time this intention has been included in legislation worded in this way. The aim is to ensure that what the Deputy wants to see happening, namely, the views of children being given due consideration, does happen in practice. The views of children will form part of decision-making by the various services run by the agency. That is provided for in legislation for the first time and the Bill is quite strong in that regard.