Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the registration process, the new system is either in place or not. I am informed that the old notification system remains in place. I specifically submitted a parliamentary question to the Department over three weeks ago and it was referred to the Child and Family Agency. I have not yet received a reply and perhaps the Minister can follow up on this.

We will have time to talk about the Children First legislation at greater length after Easter. The matter of sanction was something the Department highlighted two years ago in the heads of the Bill. The Minister talks about a suite of legislation but the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act deals with a higher threshold. It is catering for people who deliberately and recklessly conceal information, not those who might have suspicions of abuse or neglect. It involves persons who deliberately and recklessly conceal information. Perhaps the Minister can give an indication of when the vetting legislation will be enacted. I understand she has yet to sign the commencement order for the legislation. My worry is that the real reason is that the Minister does not wish to overburden the system. She referred to this in her contribution. It is nothing less than a resource issue.